Saussurea simpsoniana
Saussurea simpsoniana, commonly known as a rare alpine medicinal herb, thrives in high-altitude Himalayan ecosystems. Belonging to the Asteraceae family, this resilient plant is valued in traditional medicine for its unique phytochemical properties. Its specialized survival mechanisms in harsh climates offer significant potential for contemporary pharmacological research and development.
- Scientific name: Saussurea simpsoniana
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls into the order Asterales and is a member of the Asteraceae family. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Saussurea, within which the species Saussurea simpsoniana is categorized.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Saussurea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Saussurea simpsoniana, is referred to by various names depending on the language. In Chinese, it is commonly known as 小果雪兔子 (zh), 小果雪兔子 (zh-hans), and 小果雪兔子 (zh-cn).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 小果雪兔子 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 小果雪兔子 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 小果雪兔子 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide distribution across several high-altitude regions in Asia. Within China, its habitat spans the provinces of Qinghai, Tibet, and Xinjiang. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, the species can be found throughout the East Himalaya. Additionally, its range extends significantly into the mountainous terrain of Nepal. These diverse locations highlight the plant's preference for specific alpine environments across these territories.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | Qinghai | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
| China | Xinjiang | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | West Himalaya | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Saussurea simpsoniana, possesses distinct morphological features across its various botanical components. The sturdy roots serve as an essential foundation, anchoring the plant within its high-altitude habitat and storing vital nutrients. Its leaves are strategically arranged to capture sunlight in harsh environments, providing the necessary energy for growth. The reproductive cycle is driven by its specialized flowers, which are designed to attract specific pollinators amidst the alpine landscape. Finally, the production of seeds ensures the continuation of the species, allowing the plant to disperse and colonize new areas within its ecological niche.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flowers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Saussurea simpsoniana has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Al, Ba, Ca, Fe, H.
- Total chemicals
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Al | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ba | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ca | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fe | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| H | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Li | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mg | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Na | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Si | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sr | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Saussurea simpsoniana has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include bronchitis.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| bronchitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |