Taxillus kaempferi

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Loranthus kaempferi
• Viscum kaempferi
• Phyllodesmis kaempferi

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Further taxonomic details place it in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Santalales. Ultimately, Taxillus kaempferi is a member of the family Loranthaceae and the genus Taxillus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across several major regions in Asia. Within China, its presence is documented across both the South-Central and Southeast territories. Moving eastward, it is a well-established species found throughout Japan in Eastern Asia. Additionally, its range extends to the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within the East Himalaya region. Collectively, these areas define the primary geographical distribution of Taxillus kaempferi.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Taxillus kaempferi is characterized by its preference for high-altitude environments, specifically occupying a niche within montane ecosystems. This species is ecologically constrained to a specialized elevational range, thriving primarily between a minimum altitude of 2100 m AMSL and a maximum altitude of 2600 m AMSL. Such distribution suggests that the plant is adapted to the unique microclimates found in these high-elevation zones, likely requiring the cooler temperatures and specific moisture regimes associated with these altitudinal bands.

Elevational range max:

2600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2100 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Taxillus kaempferi is characterized by its growth form as a herb, displaying a non-woody structure throughout its development. As a terrestrial organism, it grows in soil rather than as an epiphyte. The plant exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit, functioning as a climber that does not rely on external structures for primary support.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Taxillus kaempferi has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Stem

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Chemicals

Taxillus kaempferi has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-catechin, Avicularin, Hyperin, Procyanidin B-3, Taxillusin.

(+)-catechin

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Avicularin

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Hyperin

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Procyanidin B-3

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Taxillusin

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

procyanidin B-1

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

quercitrin

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan