Speranskia tuberculata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Argythamnia tuberculata
• Speranskia tuberculata var. pekinensis
• Croton tuberculatus
• Speranskia pekinensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Speranskia tuberculata, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is classified under the family Euphorbiaceae and the genus Speranskia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide-ranging presence across several distinct regions of China. Its distribution begins in the southeastern parts of the country, specifically within China Southeast. Moving toward the middle of the nation, the species is also found throughout China South-Central and China North-Central. The geographical reach extends significantly northward into the territory of Manchuria. Finally, its habitat encompasses the expansive landscapes of Inner Mongolia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Speranskia tuberculata is characterized by its preference for specific altitudinal gradients within its natural habitat. This species thrives across a broad montane range, occupying diverse ecological niches from lower slopes up to significant heights. Its distribution spans an elevational range starting from a minimum of 800 m AMSL and extending to a maximum of 1900 m AMSL. On average, the plant is most commonly found at a mean elevation of 1350 m AMSL, suggesting that its optimal environmental conditions, such as temperature regimes and atmospheric pressure, are most closely aligned with these mid-to-high altitude zones.

Elevational range max:

1900 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1350 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

800 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Speranskia tuberculata is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons within its ecological niche. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the species functions as a chamaephyte, maintaining its photosynthetic organs close to the ground surface, typically just above the soil level, which aids in its survival and adaptation to its specific habitat.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Speranskiia tuberculata is characterized by its specialized growth habit and structural adaptations. It functions as a self-supporting climber, possessing the physical architecture necessary to ascend or spread without requiring external hosts for structural stability. Despite its climbing nature, the plant is biologically independent, acting as a non-parasitic organism that does not derive nutrients from a host plant. Furthermore, its ecological positioning is strictly terrestrial, as it develops and thrives within the soil substrate rather than growing as an epiphyte on other vegetation.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Physiology

The physiology of Speranskia tuberculata is characterized by significant morphological variability in its foliar structure, which plays a critical role in its photosynthetic capacity and environmental adaptation. The leaves exhibit a distinct range of dimensions, with a mean leaf length of 3.4 cm, though individual specimens can vary from a minimum length of 1.8 cm to a maximum of 5 cm. This longitudinal variation is complemented by a corresponding width spectrum, where leaf width ranges from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm. These fluctuating surface area dimensions suggest a physiological plasticity that allows the plant to optimize light interception and gas exchange based on its specific microhabitat conditions.

Leaf length max:

5 cm

Leaf length mean:

3.4 cm

Leaf length min:

1.8 cm

Leaf width max:

2.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Speranskia tuberculata is characterized by its specific inflorescence and fruit dimensions. The flowering process occurs within an inflorescence that varies in size, with a minimum length of 0.06 m and reaching a maximum length of 0.15 m. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits that exhibit highly consistent morphological measurements. The fruit length remains uniform across the observed specimens, with a minimum, mean, and maximum value all recorded at 0.4 cm. Similarly, the fruit width shows no variance in the data provided, maintaining a consistent measurement of 0.6 cm for its minimum, mean, and maximum values.

Fruit length max:

0.4 cm

Fruit width max:

0.6 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.15 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.06 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Speranskia tuberculata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-SITOSTEROL.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

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

Preparations

Speranskia tuberculata has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extracts.

Aqueous extracts

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR