Vincetoxicum forrestii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cynanchum forrestii
• Cynanchum forrestii var. balfourianum
• Vincetoxicum forrestii var. stenolobum
• Cynanchum forrestii var. conduplicatum
• Vincetoxicum balfourianum
• Cynanchum forrestii var. stenolobum
• Vincetoxicum muliense
• Cynanchum limprichtii
• Vincetoxicum limprichtii
• Cynanchum muliense
• Vincetoxicum steppicola
• Cynanchum steppicola
• Cynanchum balfourianum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Vincetoxicum forrestii, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is further classified under the order Gentianales. Finally, it is a member of the family Apocynaceae and falls under the genus Vincetoxicum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Vincetoxicum forrestii, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across various regions of China. It can be found growing throughout the South-Central areas of the country. Additionally, its presence extends into the North-Central parts of China. The species also inhabits the high-altitude landscapes of Tibet. Together, these regions define the primary geographical range for this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vincetoxicum forrestii is characterized by its distribution across a broad altitudinal gradient within its native montane habitats. This species exhibits significant adaptability to varying topographic positions, occupying an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 1000 m AMSL to a maximum of 3500 m AMSL. Within this vertical distribution, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 2250 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-to-high altitude ecological zones where specific temperature and moisture regimes are maintained. This wide elevational breadth allows the species to inhabit diverse microclimates, ranging from lower montane forests to higher subalpine environments.

Elevational range max:

3500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2250 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1000 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Vincetoxicum forrestii is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. As a perennial, it establishes a stable presence in its habitat, often relying on underground structures to survive dormant periods. This long-term survival strategy enables the plant to accumulate resources over time, facilitating repeated flowering and seed production cycles across successive years, which contributes to its ability to maintain populations within its specific ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Physiology

The physiology of Vincetoxicum forrestii is characterized by distinct morphological dimensions of its foliage that influence its photosynthetic capacity and environmental interaction. The leaves exhibit a notable range in size, with an average leaf length of 6 cm, though they can vary from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 8 cm. This longitudinal variation is accompanied by a specific width profile, where the leaves typically maintain a mean width of 2.75 cm. The breadth of the leaf blades is equally variable, spanning from a minimum width of 1.5 cm to a maximum width of 4 cm. These structural parameters suggest a flexible physiological adaptation to light interception and transpiration regulation within its natural habitat.

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length mean:

6 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width mean:

2.75 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vincetoxicum forrestii is characterized by the development of distinct fruits that exhibit a highly uniform morphology. The dimensions of these fruits are remarkably consistent, with the mean fruit length measuring exactly 6 cm, a value that also serves as both the minimum and maximum length recorded. Similarly, the fruit width maintains a strict consistency, with the mean, minimum, and maximum width all measuring 0.8 cm. This lack of variance in the fruit's physical dimensions suggests a highly stabilized reproductive output within the species.

Fruit length max:

6 cm

Fruit width max:

0.8 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Vincetoxicum forrestii 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 root.

Root

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

Chemicals

Vincetoxicum forrestii has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-SITOSTEROL, Daucosterol, NONANEDIOIC ACID, Tylophorinidine, hexahydroxycholest-7-en-6-one.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

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

Daucosterol

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

NONANEDIOIC ACID

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

Tylophorinidine

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

hexahydroxycholest-7-en-6-one

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

palmitic acid

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

sucrose

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

Preparations

Vincetoxicum forrestii has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 95% ethanol extract of the roots of C. forrestii.

95% ethanol extract of the roots of c. forrestii

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