Saussurea salicifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Heterotrichum leptophyllum
• Serratula salicifolia
• Theodorea salicifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales, it is further categorized into the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Saussurea, specifically as the species Saussurea salicifolia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several key regions within the vast landscape of Siberia. Specifically, its habitat includes the mountainous terrain of the Altai region. It is also found throughout the territory of Buryatia, stretching across the eastern parts of the continent. The distribution continues through the Chitа area, marking its presence in southeastern Siberia. Furthermore, the species is documented within the Irkutsk and Krasnoyarsk regions, completing its extensive geographical range.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Saussurea salicifolia is characterized by its adaptation to high-altitude environments, where it thrives across a broad altitudinal gradient. The species is typically found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 1600 m AMSL to a maximum of 3800 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range centered around 2700 m AMSL. Its preferred habitats are diverse, encompassing alpine meadows, mountainous terrain, steppes, and various stony places. These varied microhabitats suggest a high degree of resilience to the rugged and often exposed conditions found in high-elevation ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

3800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1600 m AMSL

Habitat :

meadows, mountains, steppe, stony places

Life history

The life history of Saussurea salicifolia is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. This perennial lifestyle allows the species to establish a robust presence in its high-altitude habitats, where it undergoes seasonal cycles of dormancy and active growth. Throughout its lifespan, the plant focuses on developing a strong root system or rhizomatous structure to survive harsh environmental conditions, eventually producing flowering stalks during its reproductive phases. Unlike annuals or biennials, its long-term survival strategy enables it to accumulate resources over several years, ensuring a more stable contribution to the population through repeated reproductive efforts across its extended life history.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Saussurea salicifolia is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, exhibiting a self-supporting structure without any climbing tendencies. This independent plant, which does not function as a parasite, typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.4 m to a maximum of 0.6 m. In terms of its habitat preference and moisture relationship, it is categorized across a spectrum of aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial environments, though it maintains a robust herbaceous habit throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height min:

0.4 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Saussurea salicifolia is characterized by a sexual process facilitated by bisexual flowers, ensuring that both male and female reproductive organs are present within the same floral structure. The flowering period is seasonally constrained, typically commencing in July and concluding in August. Following pollination, the plant utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on wind currents to transport its seeds across the landscape to facilitate colonization and expansion.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Saussurea salicifolia has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Arctigenin, Arctiin, Cynaropicrin, Matairesinol, Matairesinoside.

Arctigenin

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Arctiin

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Cynaropicrin

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Matairesinol

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Matairesinoside

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Trachelogenin

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Tracheloside

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Preparations

Saussurea salicifolia has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanol extract.

Ethanol extract

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin