ash-leaved spiraea

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• ash-leaved spiraea

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Schizonotus sorbifolius

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Sorbaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is noted within the borders of Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species can be found throughout the landscapes of Belgium. Its range continues across the central territories of Germany and Poland. Finally, the plant is also documented as growing within the nation of Austria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sorbaria sorbiifolia is characterized by its broad adaptability to diverse environmental settings, thriving in habitats ranging from dense forests and forest edges to mountainous terrains, shrubberies, and even the moist conditions found near shores and swamps. This species exhibits a significant altitudinal distribution, occupying an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 250 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 1500 m AMSL. Throughout this vertical gradient, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 875 m AMSL, allowing it to integrate into various ecological niches within both lowland and montane landscapes.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

875 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

250 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, forest edges, mountains, shores, shrubberies, swamps

Life history

The life history of Sorbus sorbiifolia is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to establish itself firmly within its ecosystem over many years. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its buds well above the ground level, typically manifesting as a woody shrub or small tree. Its growth strategy is further defined by its deciduous nature, as it sheds its foliage annually in response to seasonal changes. Within the spectrum of its structural classification, the plant exhibits characteristics consistent with a phanerophyte, ensuring its survival through various environmental cycles.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sorbaria sorbiifolia is characterized by a woody, shrub-like growth form that functions as a self-supporting structure. As a terrestrial plant, it does not exhibit aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies, nor does it act as a parasite, maintaining an independent life cycle. The plant displays significant variation in stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 3 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 1.75 m. Because of its woody composition and self-supporting nature, it does not require external structures for climbing, distinguishing it from lianas or vines.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

1.75 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sorbaria sorbifolia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a metabolic strategy optimized for temperate environments where carbon fixation occurs via the Calvin cycle. The plant is strictly non-carnivorous, relying on traditional nutrient uptake through its root system rather than insectivory. Its foliar morphology plays a significant role in its resource management, featuring lanceolate-shaped leaves with distinct toothed margins. These leaves lack both thorns and spines, prioritizing surface area for light interception. The leaf dimensions vary, with a minimum length of 5 cm and a mean length of 6 cm, reaching a maximum of 7 cm, while the width ranges from a minimum of 1.8 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 246.31 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per area and its physiological adaptation to balance photosynthetic efficiency with water conservation and structural integrity.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

lanceolate

Leaf length max:

7 cm

Leaf length mean:

6 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf margin :

toothed

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

2.5 cm

Leaf width min:

1.8 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

246.31 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sorbaria sorbiifolia is characterized by a sexual process involving bisexual flowers, with asexual reproduction being notably absent. The flowering period begins in June and continues through August, featuring inflorescences that typically range from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.2 m in length. Individual flowers are relatively small, with lengths varying between 1 cm and 1.2 cm. Pollination is achieved through a biotic syndrome, specifically driven by insects. The plant does not exhibit self-fertilization, suggesting a reliance on external agents for genetic exchange. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruit in the form of a capsule. These fruits maintain a consistent length of approximately 0.3 cm. The resulting seeds show significant mass variation, ranging from a minimum of 0.0005 g to a maximum of 0.2 g, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.067 g. The fruit is characterized as dehiscence, meaning it opens at maturity to release its contents, and the dispersal of the species is categorized as anthropochorous.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower length max:

1.2 cm

Flower length min:

1 cm

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

0.3 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Inflorescence length max:

0.2 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.1 m

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.2 g

Seed mass mean:

0.067033333 g

Seed mass min:

5e-04 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Sorbaria sorbifolia has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5,2',4'-trihydroxy-6,7,5'-trimethoxyflavone.

5,2',4'-trihydroxy-6,7,5'-trimethoxyflavone

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Oncology research

Preparations

Sorbaria sorbifolia has 8 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include CHCl3 extract, EtOAc extract, Sorbaria sorbifolia ethyl acetate etract, Sorbaria sorbifolia extract (SSE), TTF1-NP.

Chcl3 extract

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

Etoac extract

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

Sorbaria sorbifolia ethyl acetate etract

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Sorbaria sorbifolia extract (sse)

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Ttf1-np

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Ttf1‑np

1. Oncology reports

Ethyl acetate extract

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Extract of herbal medicine

1. World journal of gastroenterology