Chinese dandelion

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese dandelion

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Taraxacum czuense
• Taraxacum armeriifolium
• Taraxacum sinicum var. armeriifolium

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 and the family Asteraceae, it is classified under the genus Taraxacum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Taraxacum sinicum, exhibits a specific geographical distribution primarily concentrated within Eastern Europe and various regions of Siberia. In Eastern Europe, its presence is documented in Northwest European Russia. Moving into the Siberian territory, it can be found across several distinct administrative areas. Specifically, it inhabits the regions of Altay, Buryatiya, and Chita. Furthermore, its range extends to the Irkutsk region, completing its distribution pattern across these locations.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Taraxacum sinicum is characterized by its preference for meadow habitats, where it thrives within open, grassy environments. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying diverse ecological zones ranging from low-lying areas at 300 m AMSL to high-altitude montane regions reaching a maximum of 2900 m AMSL. On average, the plant is found at a mean elevation of 1600 m AMSL, suggesting a specialized adaptation to temperate or montane meadow ecosystems across a significant vertical gradient.

Elevational range max:

2900 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Habitat :

meadows

Life history

The life history of Taraxacum sinicum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial plant, it does not complete its life cycle in a single year but instead establishes a robust root system that enables it to survive dormant periods and regrow during favorable environmental conditions. This long-term survival strategy allows the plant to accumulate resources over several years, facilitating repeated flowering and seed production cycles. Its developmental stages are governed by seasonal shifts, where the plant transitions from vegetative growth to reproductive phases, eventually producing seeds that ensure the continuation of the species in its native habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Taraxacum sinicum is characterized by its growth form as a herb and a forb, exhibiting a non-woody structure throughout its development. Unlike climbing plants, it does not function as a climber, lacking any liana, vine, or self-supporting climbing tendencies, whether obligatory or facultative. Instead, the plant maintains a stable, non-woody stature typical of herbaceous species.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Taraxacum sinicum is characterized by a metabolic framework governed by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and resource utilization strategies. Within this C3 pathway, the plant utilizes the enzyme Rubisco to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide directly into three-carbon organic compounds during the Calvin cycle, a process that typically occurs within the mesophyll cells. This metabolic mode implies that the plant's gas exchange and energy production are highly sensitive to environmental variables such as light intensity, temperature, and water availability, as the inherent tendency for photorespiration can influence its overall photosynthetic efficiency. Consequently, its physiological performance is closely linked to its ability to manage transpiration rates and maintain optimal stomatal conductance to balance carbon uptake with water loss.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Taraxacum sinicum is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window that dictates its reproductive cycle. The flowering period typically commences in July and reaches its conclusion in August. This relatively concentrated blooming phase ensures that the plant's reproductive efforts are synchronized within these specific summer months to facilitate pollination and subsequent seed development.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Taraxacum sinicum has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROGENIC ACID, Diosmetin, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, luteolin.

CHLOROGENIC ACID

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

Diosmetin

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

caffeic acid

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

ferulic acid

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

luteolin

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