Saussurea simpsoniana

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aplotaxis simpsoniana
• Saussurea sacra
• Saussurea yushuensis
• Theodorea sacra

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Saussurea simpsoniana is defined by its existence within high-altitude alpine environments, where it occupies a specialized niche across a significant vertical gradient. This species is found at extreme elevations, ranging from a minimum of 3,600 m AMSL to a maximum of 5,700 m AMSL. The distribution of the plant is concentrated in the upper reaches of these montane ecosystems, as evidenced by a mean elevation of 5,450 m AMSL. Such a high-altitude preference suggests an adaptation to the rigorous climatic conditions characteristic of alpine zones, including intense solar radiation, low atmospheric pressure, and extreme temperature fluctuations.

Elevational range max:

5700 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

5450 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

3600 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Saussurea simpsoniana is characterized by its growth form as a herb, exhibiting a non-woody structure throughout its vegetative development. As a terrestrial species, it grows directly in the soil rather than as an epiphyte, and it functions as a self-supporting plant, lacking the climbing mechanisms found in obligatory or facultative climbers.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Saussurea simpsoniana has 4 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, leaf, root, seed.

Flower

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine

Leaf

1. Analytical sciences : the international journal of the Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry

Root

1. Analytical sciences : the international journal of the Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry

Seed

1. Analytical sciences : the international journal of the Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry

Chemicals

Saussurea simpsoniana has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Al, BA, CA, FE, H-.

Al

1. Analytical sciences : the international journal of the Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry

BA

1. Analytical sciences : the international journal of the Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry

CA

1. Analytical sciences : the international journal of the Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry

FE

1. Analytical sciences : the international journal of the Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry

H-

1. Analytical sciences : the international journal of the Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry

LI

1. Analytical sciences : the international journal of the Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry

MG

1. Analytical sciences : the international journal of the Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry

SI

1. Analytical sciences : the international journal of the Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry

SR

1. Analytical sciences : the international journal of the Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry

Ti

1. Analytical sciences : the international journal of the Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry

Conditions

Saussurea simpsoniana has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include bronchitis.

Bronchitis

1. Analytical sciences : the international journal of the Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry

Preparations

Saussurea simpsoniana has 2 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include flowers, roots.

Flowers

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine

Roots

1. Analytical sciences : the international journal of the Japan Society for Analytical Chemistry