Actaea dahurica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cimicifuga dahurica
• Cimicifuga dahurica f. mascula
• Cimicifuga dahurica var. fertilis
• Cimicifuga dahurica var. mascula
• Actaea pterosperma
• Actinospora pterosperma
• Actinospora dahurica

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Ranunculales, it is classified under the family Ranunculaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Actaea, which contains the species Actaea dahurica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions in Northern Asia. In the Siberian territory, its presence is specifically noted in the Chita region. Moving toward the Russian Far East, it can be found spanning the Amur, Khabarovsk, and Primorye areas. Additionally, the species extends into the northern reaches of China, specifically within Inner Mongolia. Together, these locations define the natural habitat range for Actaea dahurica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Actaea dahurica is characterized by its preference for diverse vegetative environments, where it is commonly found inhabiting forests, forest edges, meadows, and shrubberies. This species occupies a specific vertical distribution within its landscape, maintaining an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 300 m AMSL to a maximum of 1200 m AMSL. Throughout its natural distribution, the plant maintains an average elevation of approximately 750 m AMSL, thriving in these varied light and moisture conditions provided by its preferred woodland and meadow habitats.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

750 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, forest edges, meadows, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Actaea dahurica is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, meaning it completes its life cycle over multiple years rather than reaching maturity and dying in a single growing season. As a perennial species, it establishes a robust root system that allows it to persist through dormant periods and re-emerge seasonally to undergo its reproductive processes. Throughout its lifespan, the plant undergoes a recurring cycle of vegetative growth, flowering, and seed production, which enables it to maintain a stable presence within its natural habitat. This long-term survival strategy allows the plant to accumulate energy reserves, contributing to its ability to withstand environmental fluctuations and sustain continuous development over several successive years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Actaea dahurica is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, functioning as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or vine. It is a terrestrial species that grows independently, without acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a maximum height of 1 meter, with an average height of approximately 1 meter.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Actaea dahurica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which is typical for many shade-tolerant forest floor species that prioritize efficient carbon fixation under moderate to low light intensities. Its morphological physiological traits include leaves with a mean width of 22 cm, providing a significant surface area optimized for light interception and gas exchange within its natural habitat. This leaf structure supports the metabolic processes required to sustain its growth and the production of bioactive secondary metabolites.

Leaf width mean:

22 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Actaea dahurica is characterized by its sexual reproductive system, as the species possesses bisexual flowers. The flowering period typically occurs during the mid-summer months, with the flowering process starting in July and concluding in August.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Actaea dahurica has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome, root.

Rhizome

1. Journal of natural products
2. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Root

1. Journal of natural products
2. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Chemicals

Actaea dahurica has 31 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CALCIUM, CHLOROPHYLL B, COPPER, Carotenoid, Cimicifugamide A.

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

CHLOROPHYLL B

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

COPPER

1. Dr. Duke

Carotenoid

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Cimicifugamide A

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Cimidahurine

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Cimifugin

1. Dr. Duke

Cimigenol

1. Dr. Duke

Cimigenol xyloside

1. Dr. Duke

Cimitin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Actaea dahurica has 246 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, ACE-Inhibitor, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allelopathic, Allergenic.

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelopathic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiBPH

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCFS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCrohn's

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations