Schisandra sphaerandra

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Schisandra sphaerandra f. pallida
• Schisandra grandiflora var. cathayensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Austrobaileyales, it is classified under the family Schisandraceae. Finally, its taxonomic designation is completed by its placement in the genus Schisandra.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Schisandra sphaerandra, exhibits a specific and localized geographical distribution. Its natural habitat is primarily concentrated within the regions of China. Specifically, it can be found growing in the South-Central part of the country. This particular area provides the necessary environmental conditions required for the species to thrive. Consequently, its range is relatively restricted to these specific Chinese territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Schisandra sphaerandra is defined by its specialized habitat requirements within high-altitude montane ecosystems. This species is predominantly found in mountainous regions, where it thrives within a specific altitudinal niche. Its distribution is strictly constrained to an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 1750 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 3600 m AMSL. This vertical distribution suggests an adaptation to the unique climatic conditions of mid-to-high elevation zones, likely characterized by cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and specific soil compositions found in these mountain belts. Such a specialized range indicates that the plant is highly dependent on the environmental stability and microclimates provided by these specific altitudinal gradients.

Elevational range max:

3600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1750 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Schisandra sphaerandra 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 an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, maintaining its own nutritional processes while occupying a terrestrial niche. The plant features a robust, woody stem structure typical of vines, which allows it to ascend through forest canopies to reach necessary light levels.

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Schisandra sphaerandra is characterized by a metabolic framework utilizing the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and environmental adaptations. As a C3 plant, it fixes atmospheric carbon dioxide directly through the Calvin cycle using the enzyme RuBisCO, a strategy that is highly efficient under temperate to cool moist conditions but necessitates careful regulation of stomatal conductance to balance gas exchange with transpiration rates. This metabolic pathway influences the plant's water-use efficiency and its ability to thrive in shaded or semi-shaded forest understories where light intensity and humidity are relatively stable. The energetic output from this C3 mechanism supports the biosynthesis of complex secondary metabolites, which are integral to its physiological defense mechanisms and overall growth patterns.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Schisandra sphaerandra is centered around the production of small, specialized seeds that facilitate its life cycle. The seeds produced by this species exhibit a highly consistent physical profile, characterized by a uniform mass across the population. Specifically, the seed mass maintains a mean value of 0.00516 g, a figure that is mirrored exactly by both the minimum and maximum recorded seed mass values of 0.00516 g. This lack of variance in seed mass suggests a highly regulated reproductive process where each seed is produced with a standardized weight of 0.00516 g, ensuring consistency in the dispersal and potential germination characteristics of the species.

Seed mass mean:

0.00516 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Schisandra sphaerandra has 1 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 stem.

Stem

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Journal of natural products
4. Natural product research

Chemicals

Schisandra sphaerandra has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Nigranoic acid, Wuweizisu C, 2'-acetyl-4',4-dimethoxybiphenyl-2-carbaldehyde, Angeloylgomisin Q, BETA-SITOSTEROL.

Nigranoic acid

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

Wuweizisu C

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

2'-acetyl-4',4-dimethoxybiphenyl-2-carbaldehyde

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Angeloylgomisin Q

1. Natural product research

BETA-SITOSTEROL

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

Benzoylgomisin Q

1. Natural product research

CATECHIN

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

Daucosterol

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

Ganwuweizic acid

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

Gomisin B

1. Natural product research

Conditions

Schisandra sphaerandra has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include HIV-1, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, diarrhea, triple-negative breast cancer.

Hiv-1

1. Journal of natural products

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Diarrhea

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Triple-negative breast cancer

1. Natural product research

Preparations

Schisandra sphaerandra has 2 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extract, stems.

Ethanolic extract

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

Stems

1. Natural product research