Alnus pendula
Alnus pendula, commonly known as the European alder, is a graceful deciduous tree native to Europe. While primarily valued in landscaping for its elegant, weeping form, it holds traditional significance in herbalism. Its bark and roots contain bioactive compounds that have historically been explored for various medicinal applications.
- Scientific name: Alnus pendula
- Family: Betulaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fagales, it is classified under the family Betulaceae and belongs to the genus Alnus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fagales | WCVP |
| Family | Betulaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Alnus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Alnus pendula, is referred to by various common names depending on the region and language. In Russian, it is called Ольха повислая, while in Czech, it is known as olše převislá. The Icelandic name for this species is Hengiölur. In Japanese, it is identified by two different names: ヒメヤシャブシ and ハゲシバリ.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ru | Ольха повислая | Wikidata |
| ja | ヒメヤシャブシ | Wikidata |
| cs | olše převislá | Wikidata |
| is | Hengiölur | Wikidata |
| ja | ハゲシバリ | Wikidata |
| zh | 垂枝桤木 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical range within the continent of Eastern Asia. Its natural habitat is primarily concentrated in the regions of Japan and Korea. Within these territories, it can be found growing in various local environments. This distribution highlights its importance to the biodiversity of these particular East Asian nations. Consequently, understanding its presence in Japan and Korea is essential for studying its ecological role.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Asia | Japan | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Korea | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Alnus pendula or the European alder, possesses various anatomical structures, but its medicinal properties are often associated with its specific components. While the foliage and twigs are characteristic of the species, the bark is a particularly significant part of the plant's anatomy. In various traditional applications, the bark is harvested for its chemical constituents, which can be utilized in decoctions or extracts to exploit its natural tannins and bioactive compounds.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Alnus pendula has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include hirsutanone, oregonin.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| hirsutanone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oregonin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Alnus pendula has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| MRSA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |