Japanese-asparagus

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Japanese-asparagus
• Japanese-spikenard
• spikenard
• Japanese Spikenard

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dimorphanthus edulis
• Aralia sachaliensis
• Aralia cordata var. sachalinensis
• Aralia edulis
• Aralia nutans
• Aralia taiwaniana
• Aralia racemosa f. sachalinensis
• Aralia racemosa var. sachalinensis
• Aralia schmidtii

Regional and Traditional Names

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 Apiales, it is classified under the family Araliaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Aralia, specifically the species Aralia cordata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aralia cordata is characterized by its preference for specific montane environments, primarily thriving within cut-over forests, forest edges, and mountainous terrains. This species occupies a distinct altitudinal niche, with its presence recorded at elevations ranging from a minimum of 1300 m AMSL to a maximum of 1600 m AMSL. Within this specific vertical distribution, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1450 m AMSL, reflecting its adaptation to the unique climatic and soil conditions found in these mid-to-high altitude forest ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1450 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1300 m AMSL

Habitat :

cut-over forest, forest edges, mountains

Life history

The life history of Aralia cordata is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons within its habitat. Its survival strategy is defined by its life forms, specifically functioning as a hemicryptophyte and a cryptophyte. As a hemicryptophyte, it maintains its perennating buds at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or organic matter during unfavorable conditions. This cryptophyte nature ensures that the vital regenerative structures are shielded from environmental stressors, facilitating its long-term establishment and cyclical growth patterns in its natural environment.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aralia cordata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, manifesting a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a liana, vine, or climber. As a terrestrial plant, it does not function as an epiphyte or an aquatic species, and it exists as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. The plant exhibits an erect shoot orientation, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 3 m, maintaining a mean plant height of approximately 1.775 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

1.775 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Aralia cordata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its natural habitat. The plant's vegetative development is closely tied to its leaf morphology, which displays significant variation in dimensions; specifically, the leaves exhibit a minimum length of 4 cm and a mean length of 9.5 cm, reaching a maximum length of up to 15 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, leaf width ranges from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 7 cm. Furthermore, Aralia cordata does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil through its root system rather than through symbiotic biological nitrogen fixation.

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length mean:

9.5 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

7 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Aralia cordata is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insect activity for successful fertilization. Within this process, bees play a significant role in the pollination mechanism. The flowering period is relatively concentrated, typically beginning in August and concluding in September. Following successful pollination, the plant produces small fruits that exhibit high uniformity in size; the fruit dimensions are consistent across its range, with a minimum, mean, and maximum length of 0.3 cm, as well as a minimum, mean, and maximum width of 0.3 cm.

Flowering time :

Aug

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length max:

0.3 cm

Fruit width max:

0.3 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Aralia cordata has 5 reported plant parts identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome, fruit, leaf, root, stem.

Rhizome

1. Anticancer research
2. Natural product communications
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fruit

1. Anticancer research

Leaf

1. Anticancer research

Root

1. European journal of pharmacology

Stem

1. Anticancer research

Chemicals

Aralia cordata has 61 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-Pimara-8(14),15-dien-19-oic acid, (ent)-pimara-8(14),15-dien-19-oic acid, ABIETIC ACID, ALPHA-PINENE, Ash.

(-)-Pimara-8(14),15-dien-19-oic acid

1. Dr. Duke

(ent)-pimara-8(14),15-dien-19-oic acid

1. Dr. Duke

ABIETIC ACID

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

Botrallin

1. Natural product communications

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

CAMPHENE

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Aralia cordata has 249 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include ACE-Inhibitor, AChE-Inhibitor, Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allelochemic.

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AChE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allelopathic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Aralia cordata has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include allergy, analgesic, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, hypothermia.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations