Leptopyrum fumarioides (L.) Rchb.

Plant Type

Leptopyrum fumarioides (L.) Rchb. is an annual herb.

Stem Characteristics

Morphologically, it reaches 8–30 cm (3–12 in) in height, and produces 4 to 9 smooth, sparsely branched stems; rarely, stem counts can be as low as 2 or as high as 17.

Leaf Structure

Its leaves are triangular-ovate, borne on stalks 2.5–13 cm (1–5 in) long. Leaflets are rhombic in shape; the central leaflet has a short stalk, and each leaflet is divided into three unequal, narrow, teardrop-shaped lobes.

Leaflet Features

Leaflet margins can be either smooth or bear small teeth.

Flower Traits

Flowers are 3–5 mm in diameter, with oval yellowish sepals 3–4.5 mm long, and smooth petals 1 mm long. Stamens measure approximately 3 mm in length, while anthers measure approximately 0.5 mm.

Native Distribution

This species is native to Russia (specifically Siberia, Amur Oblast, and Khabarovsk Krai), Kazakhstan, China (specifically Gansu, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Xinjiang), Korea, and Mongolia.

Habitat Range

It grows at altitudes between 100 and 1,400 m (330 to 4,590 ft), in habitats including forest margins, grassy areas, and alongside fields.

Phenology

Ecologically, Leptopyrum fumarioides flowers from May to July, and produces fruit from June to July.

Traditional Uses

In Mongolian and Tibetan traditional medicine, the plant has been used to treat fever, typhoid fever, elevated blood pressure, liver diseases, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, and edema, as well as to treat various types of intoxication.

Chemical Properties

Chemical compounds found in the plant have been shown to protect DNA from damage caused by catechol, likely through acting as potent antioxidants.