Schisandra henryi

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Austrobaileyales and the family Schisandraceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Schisandra.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution primarily concentrated within East and Southeast Asia. In China, it can be found growing across the South-Central regions of the country. Additionally, its presence extends into the Southeast portions of China. Beyond Chinese borders, the species is also distributed throughout the Indo-China peninsula. Specifically, it has been documented growing in the tropical landscapes of Vietnam.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Schisandra henryi is characterized by its adaptation to specific montane forest environments, where it thrives within a distinct vertical distribution. This species is typically found across an elevational range that begins at 580 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2100 m AMSL. Within these altitudinal gradients, the plant occupies niche habitats that provide the necessary moisture and shade required for its growth, often integrating into the understory or mid-canopy of temperate or subtropical mountain forests. The environmental conditions across this broad elevational span influence its distribution patterns, as the plant must navigate varying temperature regimes and atmospheric pressures associated with its ascent from lower montane zones to high-altitude forest ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

580 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Schisandra henryi is characterized by its growth habit as a woody liana, functioning as an obligatory climber that relies on external structures for support rather than being self-supporting. As a terrestrial plant, it grows independently from other organisms, maintaining its own nutritional processes without being a parasite. Its structural development is defined by its woody nature, providing the necessary rigidity to ascend through forest canopies as a climbing vine.

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Schisandra henryi is characterized by its efficient metabolic processes adapted to forest understory environments, most notably through its photosynthetic pathway, which is classified as C3. This C3 pathway involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle, a mechanism that is highly effective in the shaded, moist, and temperate habitats where the species typically thrives. This metabolic strategy allows the plant to optimize gas exchange and energy production under moderate light intensities. Beyond carbon fixation, the plant's physiological profile includes complex secondary metabolism, particularly the synthesis of lignans and other bioactive compounds, which serve as essential defense mechanisms and metabolic byproducts. Its physiological regulation is closely tied to seasonal environmental cues, influencing its growth patterns, nutrient uptake, and the seasonal fluctuations in its chemical constituents.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Schisandra henryi is centered around the production of seeds that exhibit notable variation in size and weight. The seeds produced by this species are quite small, with a calculated mean seed mass of 0.007328 g. Within the population, there is a distinct range of seed sizes, as evidenced by a minimum seed mass of 0.002656 g and a maximum seed mass reaching up to 0.012 g. This variation in mass suggests a degree of plasticity in the reproductive output, which may influence seedling establishment and survival within its natural habitat.

Seed mass max:

0.012 g

Seed mass mean:

0.007328 g

Seed mass min:

0.002656 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Schisandra henryi has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem, leaf.

Stem

1. Bioorganic chemistry
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Leaf

1. Bioorganic chemistry

Chemicals

Schisandra henryi has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CATECHIN, (+)-Anwulignan, Deoxyschisandrin, Dibenzocyclooctadiene, Epischisandrone.

CATECHIN

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Applied microbiology and biotechnology

(+)-Anwulignan

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Deoxyschisandrin

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Dibenzocyclooctadiene

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Epischisandrone

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Neochlorogenic acid

1. Applied microbiology and biotechnology

Schisandrol A

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Schisantherin A

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

caffeic acid

1. Applied microbiology and biotechnology

Activities

Schisandra henryi has 7 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Neuroprotective, Antioxidant, Antiviral, Cardioprotective.

Anticancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Chinese medicine

Neuroprotective

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Bioorganic chemistry

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiviral

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cardioprotective

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Hepatoprotective

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Hepatoregenerative

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Schisandra henryi has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, cervical cancer, gastric cancer, skin aging.

Cancer

1. Chinese medicine

Cervical cancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Gastric cancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Skin aging

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Schisandra henryi has 7 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include cell biomass extracts, microshoot agar and callus, microshoot agitated, microshoot culture in PlantForm bioreactors, stems.

Cell biomass extracts

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Microshoot agar and callus

1. Applied microbiology and biotechnology

Microshoot agitated

1. Applied microbiology and biotechnology

Microshoot culture in plantform bioreactors

1. Applied microbiology and biotechnology

Stems

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Suspension

1. Applied microbiology and biotechnology

Tissue extracts

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)