Yunnan Stone Lotus (Sinocrassula yunnanensis (Franch.) A. Berger)

Also Known as Dian Stone Lotus (滇石莲) or Si Ma Lu (四马路)

Yunnan Stone Lotus (Sinocrassula yunnanensis) is a succulent plant species belonging to the Crassulaceae family and the Sinocrassula genus. This species is endemic to China and is primarily found in high-altitude regions of Yunnan, Sichuan, Tibet, and Hubei provinces. The plant is recognized for its beautiful rosette shape, succulent leaves, and small, delicate flowers, making it a popular ornamental plant. However, it is also valued for its medicinal properties, particularly in traditional herbal practices.

Taxonomy and Classification

Latin Name: Sinocrassula yunnanensis (Franch.) A. Berger
Common Names:

  • Yunnan Stone Lotus (滇石莲)
  • Si Ma Lu (四马路)
    Family: Crassulaceae
    Genus: Sinocrassula
    Endemic to: China (Yunnan, Sichuan, Tibet, Hubei, and other regions)
    Conservation Status: Critically Endangered (IUCN), listed in the “Red List of China’s Biodiversity” (Critically Endangered)

Morphological Characteristics

Yunnan Stone Lotus is a small, perennial, succulent plant. The plant typically reaches a height of 5-10 cm, and the main root system is thin and slender, measuring about 1 mm in diameter but extending up to 10 cm in length. It develops many fine, fibrous roots, which aid in water absorption from the soil in its native habitat. The plant has a distinctive, rosette-like arrangement of leaves at the base, with each leaf covered in soft, fine white hairs.

  • Rosette: The plant’s rosette formation typically measures about 2.5–3.5 cm in diameter, and the leaves are arranged in a loose, spiral pattern.
  • Leaves: The basal leaves are oblong-lanceolate (shaped like a narrow spearhead) to spatulate (spoon-shaped). Each leaf is about 1.2–2.5 cm long and 4–5 mm wide. The leaf tips are acute or gradually pointed and densely covered with fine white hairs.
  • Flowering: The plant produces small, umbrella-like flower clusters that are 2.5 cm in diameter. Each flower has five yellow-green petals, which are lance-shaped, measuring 3.5–4 mm long and 1 mm wide. The flowers bloom from September to October.
  • Stems and Flowers: The flower stalks are covered in soft hairs and are 5–10 cm tall. The flowers themselves are compact and slightly crowded in their inflorescences.

Habitat and Growth Environment

Yunnan Stone Lotus thrives in high-altitude environments and is typically found in mountainous regions of China, where it grows in rocky, well-drained soils. It has specific altitude preferences, which influence its natural distribution.

  • Western Hubei and Eastern Sichuan: Found between 450–1200 meters above sea level.
  • Western Sichuan: Found between 1200–2900 meters above sea level.
  • Yunnan: Found between 1300–3300 meters above sea level.
  • Southeastern Tibet: Grows at elevations of 2800 meters above sea level.

This plant is adapted to survive in environments with cool, dry conditions. It is particularly resilient to frost and can endure low temperatures during winter.

Geographic Distribution

The species is primarily found in Dali, Yunnan, which is considered its type locality. Its distribution is mainly concentrated in mountainous regions of Southwest China, including parts of Sichuan, Tibet, and Hubei.

Reproduction and Propagation

Yunnan Stone Lotus can be propagated by cuttings, a simple and reliable method of reproduction. Propagation can be done using leaf cuttings or stem cuttings.

  1. Leaf Cuttings:
    • Mature leaves are laid flat on moist, sandy soil, with the leaf surface facing up.
    • The leaves should not be covered with soil, and the cuttings should be kept in a shaded, cool place.
    • In about 10 days, small rosettes and roots will begin to form at the base of the leaf.
    • This method can be done year-round, but August to October is the optimal period for propagation as the rooting success is higher during this time.
  2. Stem Cuttings:
    • You can also propagate using stem cuttings, such as top cuttings or offsets. The cuttings should be left to dry for a day or two to allow the cut ends to callous before being inserted into well-draining sand or soil.
    • Roots will develop in about 20 days.
  3. Division:
    • The plant can also be propagated through division, where new shoots or pups emerging from the base of the plant can be carefully separated and replanted into pots.

Cultivation Techniques

Yunnan Stone Lotus is suitable for indoor cultivation or greenhouse planting in regions with colder climates. It thrives in well-draining, slightly acidic soil, and benefits from occasional exposure to outdoor sunlight.

Potting and Soil:

  • Use a mixture of peat soil, leaf mold, and coarse sand to ensure good drainage.
  • It is important to repot the plant every spring or autumn, replacing the old soil and adding some phosphorus-rich fertilizer.
  • Drainage is crucial for preventing root rot, especially during the rainy season.

Watering and Care:

  • Watering should be controlled. Over-watering can cause the roots to rot, so it’s essential to follow the principle of “water thoroughly, but infrequently”.
  • In winter, watering should be reduced, and the soil should be kept dry to prevent frost damage to the roots.
  • The plant should be placed in an area with plenty of indirect sunlight. Excessive shade can lead to leggy growth and diminished ornamental value.

Fertilization:

  • Fertilization should be done sparingly, about once a month during the growing season. Use a diluted liquid fertilizer or low-nitrogen fertilizer with higher levels of phosphorus and potassium to encourage healthy growth.
  • Avoid fertilizing during the dormant period in winter, as the plant slows down its metabolic processes during this time.

Temperature:

  • The ideal temperature range for growth is between 15°C to 25°C. In the winter, if temperatures fall below 10°C, the plant may enter dormancy.
  • Yunnan Stone Lotus can tolerate brief periods of cold and is hardy enough to survive temperatures as low as 5°C. Some varieties can even endure frost and temperatures as low as 0°C.

Main Uses

Ornamental Value

Yunnan Stone Lotus is a highly decorative plant, prized for its succulent, jade-like leaves arranged in a rosette pattern. The leaves have a unique glossy appearance, which makes the plant resemble a small, sculpted lotus flower. This makes it popular as a potted plant for home decoration, as well as an accent in rock gardens or flower beds. It is especially attractive when planted among other succulents or in mixed containers.

In tropical and subtropical climates, the plant can be grown outdoors in rockeries or as a ground cover, whereas, in colder regions, it is best suited for indoor planting or as a greenhouse plant.

Medicinal Value

Yunnan Stone Lotus is not only an ornamental plant but also plays an important role in traditional medicine. The entire plant, including the roots, stems, and leaves, has therapeutic properties.

  • Medicinal Use: It is used in various herbal remedies for treating ailments such as sore throat, dysentery, intestinal bleeding, and external injuries like burns and wounds.
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Known for its cooling nature, it is used to clear heat, relieve pain, and stop bleeding.
  • Tibetan and Ethnic Medicines: The plant is also used in Tibetan medicine for treating intestinal issues and uterine bleeding.

Dosage: The plant is typically used in the form of a decoction, with a standard dosage of 30-50g of the whole plant for internal use. For external applications, the plant is crushed and applied to affected areas, such as burns or wounds.

Ethnobotanical Uses:

  • Tujia Ethnic Medicine: Used to treat respiratory diseases, bone fractures, and skin infections.
  • Pu Mi Medicine: Known for treating lung conditions such as cough and tuberculosis.

Conservation Status

Yunnan Stone Lotus is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. The plant is also listed on the Red List of China’s Biodiversity, which highlights its status as a species at risk of extinction due to habitat destruction, overharvesting, and climate change.

Related Species in the Sinocrassula Genus

The genus Sinocrassula includes several related species that share similar characteristics, especially the rosette growth form and succulent leaves. Some notable species include:

  • Sinocrassula ambigua: Long-tube Stone Lotus
  • Sinocrassula densirosulata: Dense-leaved Stone Lotus
  • Sinocrassula indica: Indian Stone Lotus
  • Sinocrassula longistyla: Long-style Stone Lotus
  • Sinocrassula techinensis: Deqin Stone Lotus

Each of these species has adapted to different ecological niches, but they share the characteristic succulent nature and ability to thrive in rocky, well-drained soils.

Yunnan Stone Lotus (Sinocrassula yunnanensis) is a fascinating and highly prized plant due to its unique succulent features, its ornamental value, and its medicinal applications. Its critically endangered status underlines the importance of conservation efforts to protect this unique species and its habitat.