Ashwagandha
Withania somnifera
Withania somnifera, commonly called ashwagandha or Indian ginseng, is a resilient Solanaceae shrub famed for …
Heterophyllous Withania (Withania heterophylla)
Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey
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Withania heterophylla - Overview, Morphology and Botanical Facts
Growing in the moist forests of East Asia, Withania heterophylla captures the attention of botanists due to its highly variable foliage. This wild perennial herbaceous plant develops under the canopy of deciduous trees, preferring shaded environments with well-drained soils.
The species represents a fascinating subject for studying leaf plasticity in mountain ecosystems. Its adaptability allows it to thrive in diverse microclimates across various Chinese provinces.
Taxonomy
- ∟ царство Plantae
- ∟ division Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
- ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
- ∟ Angiosperms
- ∟ mesangiosperms (Core angiosperms)
- ∟ eudicots
- ∟ asterids
- ∟ order Solanales
- ∟ family Solanaceae
- ∟ subfamily Solanoideae
- ∟ tribe Physaleae
- ∟ genus Withania (ashwagandha)
- ∟ species Withania heterophylla (Heterophyllous Withania)
Morphology
This species exhibits distinctive physical characteristics that distinguish it from related taxa:
- Stems: Erect, slender, reaching heights of 30 to 80 centimeters, and sparsely covered with fine hairs.
- Leaves: Alternate or paired, displaying extreme variation in shape from ovate to ovate-lanceolate with entire or sinuate margins.
- Flowers: Solitary, nodding on short pedicels, featuring a pale yellow or whitish campanulate corolla.
- Fruit: A globose berry enclosed within an enlarged, membranous, ovoid calyx that turns papery as it matures.
Flowering season
June to August
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Apr
May
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Name
Dec
Interesting facts
The botanical name heterophylla directly translates to "different leaves," which highlights the plant's remarkable ability to produce leaves of various shapes and sizes on a single stem.
Geography of distribution
- China
Sources
- Plants of the World Online (POWO)
- World Flora Online (WFO)
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
Technical Information
Taxon Synonyms: Physaliastrum heterophyllum
See also
Shrubby winter cherry
Withania frutescens
A heavily branched Mediterranean evergreen shrub featuring tortuous woody stems, heart-shaped leaves, and green-to-red berries …
Indian rennet
Withania coagulans
A small gray-white shrub native to South Asia and the Middle East, renowned for its …
Orobal
Withania aristata
An endemic evergreen shrub of the Canary Islands and North Africa, notable for its yellowish-green …