Opiliaceae species: A review

There are 6 genera and 6 species of Opiliaceae distribution in China, which are Yunnanopilia longistaminea, Champereia manillana, Cansjera rheedei, Opilia amentacea, Lepionurus sylvestris and Urobotrya latisquamarespectively. Nevertheless, significant debate exists regarding the taxonomic classification of Yunnanopilia longistaminea, as it has been categorized under the genus Melientha or Champereia. The paper reviewed the current researchstatus of the morphological and molecular phylogeny classification of the Opiliaceae species and found that the flowermorphological characteristics of Yunnanopilia longistaminea（gynodioecious, sessile bisexual flowers） differed fromthose of Champereia manillana（ gynodioecious, stalked bisexual flowers） and Champereia suavis（ dioecious）. Molecularphylo-geny studies indicated that the 6 genera of Opiliaceae in China branched independently. In conjunction with theobserved morphological differences, these findings supported the independent classification of Yunnanopilia longistaminea within the Yunnanopilia. Through a comprehensive analysis of the research progress in the development and utilization of Opiliaceae species, it was found that Opiliaceae species contained rich proteins, vitamin C（ Vc）, potassium, calcium,magnesium, and other mineral elements in tender stems and leaves, as well as polysaccharides, flavonoids, and secondarymetabolites, had various pharmacological effects, such as antioxidation, lowering blood sugar, lowering blood lipid,lowering blood pressure, protecting the liver, and anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. It was a kind of forest vegetablefor both medicine and food. The biological characteristics of seeds from Yunnanopilia longistaminea and Champereia manillana exhibited great differences.Seeds of Yunnanopilia longistaminea demonstrated low dehydration tolerance and were not resistant to storage for a long time,whereas seeds of Champereia manillana possessed higher dehydration tolerance and were able to store for a long time.Research on the seedling cultivation of Opiliaceae species in China remained in its infancy.The slow growth of these seedlings in Opiliaceae species might be attributed to their parasitic nature.Consequently,future efforts should be focused on advancing research into the biological characteristics,robust seedling cultivation methods,and intensive and efficient cultivation techniques for Opiliaceae species,establishing a biomedical research and development system to promote the exploitation and utilization of resources and the development of the forest vegetable industry.