Chinese Ragwort

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese Ragwort

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ligularia tangutica
• Cacalia tangutica
• Senecillis tangutica
• Senecio henryi
• Senecio tanguticus
• Sinacalia henryi

Regional and Traditional Names

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 Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae and is specifically identified by the genus Sinacalia. Therefore, its complete taxonomic designation is Sinacalia tangutica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing in Great Britain and Ireland. Its range extends further north to include the countries of Norway and Sweden. Additionally, the species is present within the territories of Middle Europe. Specifically, these locations identify Germany as one of its key habitats.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sinacalia tangutica is characterized by its distribution across distinct altitudinal gradients within its native montane habitats. This species occupies a broad vertical range, thriving at elevations starting from a minimum of 1250 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 3450 m AMSL. Throughout its various ecological niches, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 2350 m AMSL, indicating a preference for mid-to-high altitude environments where specific climatic and topographical conditions are met.

Elevational range max:

3450 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2350 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1250 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Sinacalia tangutica is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its growth habit and structural adaptation to its environment, the species functions as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by residual plant matter or the substrate itself. This specific developmental strategy, consistent with its identification as both a hemicryptophyte and a hemicryptophyte, enables the plant to survive seasonal fluctuations and environmental stressors by maintaining its vital reproductive and vegetative structures at the ground level.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sinacalia tangutica is characterized by its non-woody growth habit, typical of many species within its genus. The plant reaches a variable height depending on environmental conditions, typically ranging from a minimum of 1 m to a maximum of 2 m.

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of the foliage in Sinacalia tangutica are defined by significant morphological variation in leaf dimensions, which play a critical role in its photosynthetic capacity and water regulation. The leaves exhibit a broad surface area, with widths ranging from a minimum of 10 cm to a maximum of 15 cm. The longitudinal development of the leaves shows a consistent pattern, with lengths fluctuating between a minimum of 10 cm and a maximum of 16 cm, resulting in a calculated mean leaf length of 13 cm. These specific dimensions suggest an evolutionary adaptation to optimize light interception and gas exchange within its natural habitat.

Leaf length max:

16 cm

Leaf length mean:

13 cm

Leaf length min:

10 cm

Leaf width max:

15 cm

Leaf width min:

10 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sinacalia tangutica is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and the development of small fruit structures. The plant enters its flowering phase in August and concludes this reproductive cycle in September. Following pollination, the plant produces fruit that exhibits high morphological consistency in size; the fruit length is remarkably uniform, with a minimum, mean, and maximum measurement all recorded at 0.3 cm.

Flowering time :

Aug

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length max:

0.3 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Sinacalia tangutica has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower.

Flower

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Chemicals

Sinacalia tangutica has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 7-hydroxy coumarin, Hydrangetin, SCHLEICHERASTATIN 1, Umbelliferone.

7-hydroxy coumarin

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Hydrangetin

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

SCHLEICHERASTATIN 1

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

Umbelliferone

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

Preparations

Sinacalia tangutica has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts of the flower of Cacalia tangutica, petroleum ether extract.

Extracts of the flower of cacalia tangutica

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Petroleum ether extract

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