Swertia mussotii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following its placement in the subclass Magnoliidae and order Gentianales, it is a member of the family Gentianaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Swertia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is found across several distinct regions within the vast landscape of China. Its distribution specifically includes the South-Central provinces of the country. Additionally, it can be located in the high-altitude areas of Qinghai. The species also extends into the unique terrain of Tibet. Collectively, these locations highlight its presence in the diverse mountainous territories of China.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Swertia mussotii is characterized by its occurrence within specific high-altitude montane environments, where it thrives across a distinct vertical gradient. This species is primarily found in mountainous terrains, occupying an elevational range that begins at 1,900 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum altitude of 3,800 m AMSL. Throughout its natural habitat, the plant maintains an average elevation of approximately 3,225 m AMSL, indicating a strong ecological preference for alpine or sub-alpine zones. These elevations suggest an adaptation to the cooler temperatures, higher ultraviolet exposure, and specific moisture regimes typical of high-altitude ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

3800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

3225 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1900 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Swertia mussotii is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial herb, it undergoes distinct stages of vegetative growth and reproductive development, often emerging from a persistent root system or rhizome that stores nutrients to support its seasonal cycles. Depending on environmental conditions and resource availability, the plant may exhibit variations in its growth patterns, but its fundamental biological strategy relies on this long-term survival mechanism to navigate its specific habitat.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Swertia mussotii is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, appearing as a herbaceous plant that does not exhibit any climbing tendencies, functioning instead as a self-supporting organism. The plant maintains a relatively low stature, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 0.6 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 0.375 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height mean:

0.375 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of the foliage in Swertia mussottii are defined by a specific range of leaf dimensions that reflect its morphological adaptation. The leaf length exhibits significant variability, ranging from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 3.5 cm, with an observed mean length of 2.15 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width is characterized by a narrow profile, maintaining a minimum width of 0.3 cm and reaching a maximum width of 1 cm. These dimensional parameters indicate a slender leaf structure that governs the plant's photosynthetic surface area and moisture regulation processes.

Leaf length max:

3.5 cm

Leaf length mean:

2.15 cm

Leaf length min:

0.8 cm

Leaf width max:

1 cm

Leaf width min:

0.3 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Swertia mussotii is characterized by specific morphological dimensions in its reproductive structures, particularly regarding its flowers and fruits. The flowering stage produces blossoms with varying sizes, where the individual flower length ranges from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 1.3 cm. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruits that exhibit similar variability in scale; the fruit length typically maintains a mean measurement of 1.1 cm, with individual fruits measuring as small as 0.8 cm and reaching a maximum length of 1.4 cm.

Flower length max:

1.3 cm

Flower length min:

0.8 cm

Fruit length max:

1.4 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.1 cm

Fruit length min:

0.8 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Swertia mussotii has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,5,8-trihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone, 1,8-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone, 1,8-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyxanthone, 13-OxoODE, CAPRIC ACID.

1,5,8-trihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

1,8-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyxanthone

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

1,8-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyxanthone

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

13-OxoODE

1. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening

CAPRIC ACID

1. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening

DODECANOIC ACID

1. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening

Lytanthosalin

1. Natural product research

MYRISTIC ACID

1. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening

Mangiferin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Swertia mussotii has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hepatoprotective.

Hepatoprotective

1. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening

Medicinal Uses

Swertia mussotii has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include liver diseases, hepatitis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations