Vaccinium dunalianum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Epigynium dunalianum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Ericales and the family Ericaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Vaccinium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning several distinct regions across Asia. Within China, it can be found in the South-Central and Southeast territories, as well as the high-altitude areas of Tibet. Its presence extends further east to the island of Taiwan in Eastern Asia. Additionally, the species is documented within the Indian Subcontinent, specifically in the Assam region. This distribution highlights the plant's ability to inhabit various ecological zones across the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vaccinium dunalianum is characterized by its distribution across a broad altitudinal gradient within montane ecosystems. This species thrives within a significant elevational range, establishing itself at altitudes as low as 1,100 m AMSL and extending upward to a maximum elevation of 3,100 m AMSL. Throughout its habitat, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1,875 m AMSL, a positioning that typically aligns it with specific temperature and moisture regimes found in high-altitude Andean environments. This vertical distribution allows the species to occupy diverse ecological niches across varying mountain strata, ranging from lower montane forests to higher-altitude shrublands.

Elevational range max:

3100 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1875 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1100 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Vaccinium dunalianum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many successive growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. Throughout its lifespan, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, retaining its foliage continuously rather than shedding it seasonally, which contributes to its structural stability and ongoing metabolic activity.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vaccinium dunalianum is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a shrub. It is a terrestrial, self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or a vine, nor does it exhibit parasitic behavior, growing instead as an independent organism. While it is not categorized as an epiphyte, its physical structure allows it to reach a significant stature, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 5 meters, maintaining an average height of approximately 3 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

obligatory

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

3 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vaccinium dunalianum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The morphological adaptations of its photosynthetic organs are reflected in its leaf dimensions, where leaf length varies significantly, ranging from a minimum of 4.5 cm to a maximum of 21 cm, with a calculated mean length of 13.125 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 2.5 cm and a maximum of 8.5 cm, providing a specific surface area optimized for light interception and gas exchange within its ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

21 cm

Leaf length mean:

13.125 cm

Leaf length min:

4.5 cm

Leaf width max:

8.5 cm

Leaf width min:

2.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vaccinium dunalianum is characterized by its distinct inflorescence and fruiting morphology. The flowering stage features an inflorescence that typically ranges in length from a minimum of 0.03 m to a maximum of 0.06 m. Following successful pollination, the plant produces berries with significant morphological variability in size. The fruit length varies from a minimum of 0.4 cm to a maximum of 1.2 cm, with an average length of 0.75 cm. Similarly, the fruit width exhibits a range between 0.4 cm at its minimum and 1.2 cm at its maximum, maintaining a mean width of 0.775 cm. These dimensions reflect the diversity in fruit development essential to the plant's reproductive cycle.

Fruit length max:

1.2 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.75 cm

Fruit length min:

0.4 cm

Fruit width max:

1.2 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.775 cm

Fruit width min:

0.4 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.06 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.03 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Vaccinium dunalianum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Frontiers in plant science

Chemicals

Vaccinium dunalianum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 6'-O-Caffeoylarbutin, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Compound 3.

6'-O-Caffeoylarbutin

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Frontiers in plant science

Compound 3

1. Steroids

Conditions

Vaccinium dunalianum has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cerebral ischemia, ischemic stroke, vascular health.

Cerebral ischemia

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Ischemic stroke

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Vascular health

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Preparations

Vaccinium dunalianum has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Quezui Tea, tea substitute.

Quezui tea

1. Frontiers in plant science

Tea substitute

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology