Veratrilla baillonii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Swertia mekongensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Vetraquilla baillonii, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Gentianales. Finally, it is a member of the family Gentianaceae and is placed in the genus Vetraquilla.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several high-altitude regions of Asia. Within China, its presence is noted in the South-Central provinces. It can also be found growing in the unique terrain of Tibet. Furthermore, the species extends into the Indian Subcontinent. Specifically, its range includes the mountainous areas of the East Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Veratrilla baillonii is defined by its specialization within high-altitude montane environments, where it thrives across a specific vertical distribution. This species occupies a significant altitudinal gradient, ranging from a minimum elevation of 3200 m AMSL to a maximum peak of 4600 m AMSL. The ecological niche of the plant is most concentrated around a mean elevation of 3900 m AMSL, suggesting that its physiological requirements and reproductive success are optimized within these high-mountain ecosystems. This distribution indicates an adaptation to the unique climatic pressures, such as lower temperatures and varying atmospheric pressures, characteristic of these high-elevation habitats.

Elevational range max:

4600 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

3900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

3200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Veratrilla baillonii is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it does not complete its biological cycle in a single year like annuals or two years like biennials; instead, it maintains vegetative structures that enable continuous growth and repeated reproductive efforts over an extended period. This sustained life strategy facilitates its long-term presence within its specific ecological niche, contributing to its stability and ability to recover from seasonal fluctuations.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vetrailla baillonii is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. This terrestrial plant typically maintains a relatively low profile, with a plant height that ranges from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 0.45 m, resulting in an average height of approximately 0.375 m. Although it exhibits a self-supporting structure rather than acting as an obligatory or facultative climber, its physical dimensions and herbaceous nature define its specific presence within its habitat.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

0.45 m

Plant height mean:

0.375 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of the foliage in Veratrilla baillonii are defined by a specific range of morphometric variations in leaf dimensions. The leaves exhibit a notable degree of plasticity, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 3.5 cm to a maximum of 8 cm, maintaining an average leaf length of approximately 5.75 cm. This longitudinal variation is complemented by a width that fluctuates between a minimum of 1.3 cm and a maximum of 3.5 cm. These dimensional parameters suggest a specialized surface area optimization that likely influences the plant's photosynthetic efficiency and transpiration rates within its native ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length mean:

5.75 cm

Leaf length min:

3.5 cm

Leaf width max:

3.5 cm

Leaf width min:

1.3 cm

Reproduction

Reproduction in Veratrilla baillonii is characterized by the development of specialized fruit structures that vary slightly in dimension. The fruit length within this species exhibits a specific range, with a minimum measurement of 0.6 cm and a maximum measurement reaching 0.7 cm. On average, the fruit length is recorded at 0.65 cm, reflecting a consistent morphological pattern during the reproductive phase of the plant's life cycle.

Fruit length max:

0.7 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.65 cm

Fruit length min:

0.6 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Veratrilla baillonii has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Gentiopicroside, Sweroside.

Gentiopicroside

1. Biochemistry and cell biology = Biochimie et biologie cellulaire

Sweroside

1. Biochemistry and cell biology = Biochimie et biologie cellulaire

Conditions

Veratrilla baillonii has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include blood glucose.

Blood glucose

1. Biochemistry and cell biology = Biochimie et biologie cellulaire