Chinese globeflower

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese globeflower
• Large-petal Globeflower

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Trollius vitalii var. nadeshdae
• Trollius macropetalus
• Trollius vitalii var. forficuloides
• Trollius vitalii f. asiaticifolius
• Trollius chinensis subsp. macropetalus
• Trollius asiaticus var. chinensis
• Trollius ledebourii f. macropetalus
• Trollius asiaticus var. affinis
• Trollius vitalii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Trollius chinensis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Ranunculales and the family Ranunculaceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Trollius.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several distinct regions of Northern Asia. In the vast territory of Siberia, it can be found growing in Buryatiya, Chita, and Krasnoyarsk. Its range also extends into the Russian Far East, where it inhabits specific territories. Specifically, populations are documented within the Amur region. Furthermore, the species is also present in the Khabarovsk area.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Trollius chinensis is defined by its preference for diverse, moisture-rich environments ranging from cut-over forests and forest edges to wet meadows and shrubberies. This species thrives in habitats that provide consistent hydration, often found in the transition zones between woodland and open, damp clearings. Its vertical distribution is quite broad, spanning a significant altitudinal gradient from a minimum elevation of 450 m AMSL to a maximum of 2200 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range of approximately 1062.5 m AMSL. This wide elevational adaptability allows the plant to inhabit various ecological niches within mountainous and sub-montane landscapes, provided the soil moisture and structural characteristics of the vegetation, such as shrubbery or meadowland, are maintained.

Elevational range max:

2200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1062.5 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

450 m AMSL

Habitat :

cut-over forest, forest edges, meadows: wet, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Trollius chinensis is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to establish a persistent presence within its natural habitats through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial, it does not complete its life cycle within a single year like annuals or two years like biennials; instead, it utilizes stored energy in its root systems to survive periods of dormancy and emerge repeatedly. This lifecycle enables the plant to develop robust structures over time, contributing to its long-term stability in mountainous or meadow ecosystems. Throughout its existence, the plant undergoes seasonal cycles of vegetative growth, flowering, and seed production, with its ability to persist year after year providing a consistent contribution to its local ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Trollius chinensis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit any climbing habits and functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies. As a terrestrial species, it thrives in land-based environments rather than aquatic or semiaquatic habitats. The plant's stature varies significantly depending on environmental conditions, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 1.5 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Trollius chinensis is characterized by robust vegetative development and specialized photosynthetic structures designed to optimize light interception in its natural habitat. A primary indicator of its metabolic capacity and biomass accumulation is the significant variation observed in its foliar dimensions. The leaf width of this species exhibits a distinct physiological range, with minimum measurements recorded at 6.8 cm and maximum measurements reaching up to 12.5 cm. This expansive leaf surface area facilitates efficient gas exchange and transpiration processes, supporting the plant's energetic requirements for flowering and reproductive success. The structural integrity and expansion of these leaves are central to the plant's ability to manage water potential and nutrient distribution throughout its seasonal growth cycle.

Leaf width max:

12.5 cm

Leaf width min:

6.8 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Trollius chinensis is characterized by its bisexual flowers, which facilitate sexual reproduction. The flowering period typically commences in May and extends through June, though the timing can be variable. The flowers themselves are notable for their size, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 3.8 cm to a maximum of 5.5 cm. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits that exhibit specific dimensional characteristics: the fruit length varies from a minimum of 1 cm to a mean of 1.2 cm, reaching a maximum of 1.3 cm. Additionally, the fruit width ranges from a minimum of 0.3 cm to a mean of 0.35 cm, with a maximum width of 0.4 cm.

Flower length max:

5.5 cm

Flower length min:

3.8 cm

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit length max:

1.3 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.2 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit width max:

0.4 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.35 cm

Fruit width min:

0.3 cm

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Trollius chinensis 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 flower, seed.

Flower

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Seed

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

Chemicals

Trollius chinensis has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROPHYLL, Flavonoids, GSH, H2O2, Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

CHLOROPHYLL

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Flavonoids

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

GSH

1. Frontiers in plant science

H2O2

1. Frontiers in plant science

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)

1. Frontiers in plant science

MDA

1. Frontiers in plant science

Octadecanoic

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

SP

1. Frontiers in plant science

SS

1. Frontiers in plant science

pro

1. Frontiers in plant science

Activities

Trollius chinensis has 3 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihypertensive, Antioxidant, Antiviral.

Antihypertensive

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiviral

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Conditions

Trollius chinensis has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include bronchitis, pharyngitis, cancer, influenza, respiratory infections.

Bronchitis

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Pharyngitis

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cancer

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Influenza

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Respiratory infections

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Tonsillitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Upper respiratory tract infections

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Trollius chinensis has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include dry sand, wet sand.

Dry sand

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

Wet sand

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