Aralia melanocarpa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Eleutherococcus melanocarpus
• Aralia dumetorum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further organized into the order Apiales and the family Araliaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Aralia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Aralia melanocarpa, exhibits a specific and localized geographical range. Its natural habitat is primarily concentrated within the southern regions of China. More specifically, the species can be found throughout the South-Central part of the country. This particular distribution pattern suggests that the plant thrives in the unique environmental conditions of this territory. Consequently, researchers focusing on this species primarily direct their field studies toward these South-Central Chinese provinces.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Aralia melanocarpa is characterized by its nature as a perennial organism, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its biological cycle within a single year. As a perennial species, it establishes a long-term presence within its ecological niche, often developing robust structural components that allow it to survive through varying environmental conditions over several years. This life strategy enables the plant to invest energy into long-term growth and reproductive stability, distinguishing it from annual or biennial species that have much shorter developmental windows. Through its extended lifespan, the plant can undergo multiple cycles of vegetative growth and seasonal reproduction, contributing to the stability of its native habitat over time.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aralia melanocarpa is characterized by a growth form primarily classified as a herb, exhibiting a non-woody structure. The plant typically reaches an average height of 1.5 m and functions as a self-supporting clamber, meaning it does not rely on external structures for support. Consistent with its herb classification, its physical development lacks significant woodiness, maintaining a soft-tissued profile throughout its stature.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Plant height mean:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Aralia melanocarpa is characterized by specific morphological dimensions that define its vegetative structure and surface area for photosynthetic efficiency. The leaf morphology exhibits significant variability, with leaf lengths typically averaging 3 cm, though they can range from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 4 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation, the leaf width shows a mean value of 3.25 cm, fluctuating between a minimum of 2 cm and a maximum of 4.5 cm. These dimensions suggest a compact leaf structure that optimizes light interception and gas exchange within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

4 cm

Leaf length mean:

3 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

4.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

3.25 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Aralia melanocarpa is characterized by its distinctive inflorescence and fruit morphology. The flowering process involves an inflorescence that varies in size, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 0.25 m. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits that exhibit highly consistent dimensions. Each fruit maintains a uniform shape and size, with a measured length that stays constant at a mean, minimum, and maximum of 0.7 cm. Similarly, the fruit width is consistently uniform across all specimens, with a minimum, mean, and maximum width of 0.7 cm, resulting in a perfectly spherical or near-spherical fruit structure.

Fruit length max:

0.7 cm

Fruit width max:

0.7 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.25 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.15 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Aralia melanocarpa has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Journal of Asian natural products research
2. Planta medica

Activities

Aralia melanocarpa has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Cytotoxic

1. Planta medica

Conditions

Aralia melanocarpa has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer.

Cancer

1. Planta medica

Preparations

Aralia melanocarpa has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanol extract of the roots.

Ethanol extract of the roots

1. Journal of Asian natural products research