Aralia cordata
Aralia cordata, commonly known as Heartleaf Aralia, is a resilient perennial prized for its striking, heart-shaped foliage. Native to East Asia, this woodland plant is celebrated in traditional herbalism for its diverse therapeutic potential. Its robust growth and ornamental beauty make it both a medicinal treasure and a garden staple.
- Scientific name: Aralia cordata
- Family: Araliaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Apiales, it is classified under the family Araliaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Aralia, specifically the species Aralia cordata.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Apiales | WCVP |
| Family | Araliaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Aralia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Aralia cordata, is referred to by various common names depending on the region and language. In Chinese, it is known as 九眼独活 (zh-hans), 九眼獨活 (zh-hant), and 九眼獨活 (zh-hk). In Japanese, the plant is commonly called ウド (ja), while in Polish, it is identified as aralia sercowata (pl).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 九眼独活 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 九眼獨活 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 九眼獨活 | Wikidata |
| ja | ウド | Wikidata |
| pl | aralia sercowata | Wikidata |
| ru | Аралия сердцевидная | Wikidata |
| az | Ürəkvari araliya | Wikidata |
| zh | 食用土当归 | Wikidata |
| fa | آرالیا کرداتا | Wikidata |
| ko | 땅두릅 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical range stretching across several distinct regions of Asia and Europe. In Middle Europe, its presence is noted within the territories of Czechia and Slovakia. The species also extends into the Russian Far East, specifically inhabiting the Kuril Islands and Saksaklin. Within China, it is widely distributed throughout the south-central provinces. Finally, its range encompasses the southeastern regions of China as well.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Kuril Is. | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Sakhalin | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Japan | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Korea | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Nansei-shoto | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Aralia cordata, possesses several distinct morphological features that contribute to its medicinal profile. The underground structure is characterized by thick, creeping rhizomes, where a single rhizome can spread to establish a robust network within the soil. From these structures, a network of roots extends to anchor the plant and absorb essential nutrients. Above the ground, the plant develops a central stem that provides structural support, eventually giving rise to the characteristic heart-shaped leaf that is vital for the plant's photosynthetic processes.- Total parts
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 9
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rhizomes | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhizome | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Rhizoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Aralia cordata has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include PA, Pimaric acid, abietic acid, pimaradienoic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| PA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pimaric acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abietic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pimaradienoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Aralia cordata has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Aralia cordata has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include allergy, analgesic, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, hypothermia.
- Total uses
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| allergy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| autoimmune diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypothermia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |