peashrub

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• peashrub

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Caragana korshinskii f. brachypoda
• Caragana korshinskii var. davazamcii
• Caragana korshinskii var. intermedia
• Caragana intermedia
• Caragana davazamcii
• Caragana davazamcii var. viridis
• Caragana erenensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Fabales, falling within the family Fabaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Caragana as Caragana korshinskii.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Caragana korshinskii, exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions of China. It is commonly found throughout the vast landscapes of Inner Mongolia and the historic territory of Manchuria. The species also extends its range into the northern stretches of China North-Central. Furthermore, its presence is documented in the high-altitude regions of Qinghai. Finally, this medicinal shrub can be located as far west as the Xinjiang province.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Caragana korshinskii is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, functioning as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or vine. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior and maintains a terrestrial existence, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic adaptations. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its ecological niche, showing no epiphyte tendencies, and its structural development is defined by its woody nature.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Caragana korshinskii is characterized by specialized adaptations to arid and semi-arid environments, allowing it to maintain metabolic activity under significant water stress. A fundamental aspect of its metabolic framework is its photosynthetic pathway, which functions via the C3 mechanism. To compensate for the inherent vulnerabilities of C3 photosynthesis in high-temperature or low-moisture conditions—such as increased photorespiration—the plant employs sophisticated physiological strategies, including deep root systems for water acquisition and morphological adaptations to minimize transpiration. Its physiological processes are tightly regulated by osmotic adjustment and the accumulation of compatible solutes, which help maintain cellular turgor and enzymatic stability during periods of drought. Furthermore, the plant exhibits high efficiency in nitrogen fixation through symbiotic relationships with rhizobia, a process that is energetically integrated into its overall physiological economy to support growth in nutrient-poor soils.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Caragana korshinskii is primarily achieved through the production of seeds contained within its legume pods, which are released to facilitate dispersal and new growth. The reproductive efficiency and potential for seedling establishment are closely tied to the physical characteristics of its progeny; specifically, the seeds exhibit a highly uniform weight profile. The seed mass remains constant across observed samples, with a mean mass of 0.0499 g, a maximum mass of 0.0499 g, and a minimum mass of 0.0499 g. This consistency in seed mass suggests a standardized energy allocation per embryo, which is a critical factor in the plant's ability to colonize arid environments and maintain population stability through successful germination.

Seed mass mean:

0.0499 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Caragana korshinskii has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4(15)-Eudesmene-1beta,5alpha-diol, 4(15)-Eudesmene-1beta,6alpha-diol, 4(15)-eudesmene-1beta,7alpha-diol, 4(15)-eudesmene-1beta,7beta-diol, 5,7,3',4'-Tetrahydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyflavone.

4(15)-Eudesmene-1beta,5alpha-diol

1. Journal of natural products

4(15)-Eudesmene-1beta,6alpha-diol

1. Journal of natural products

4(15)-eudesmene-1beta,7alpha-diol

1. Journal of natural products

4(15)-eudesmene-1beta,7beta-diol

1. Journal of natural products

5,7,3',4'-Tetrahydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyflavone

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

5,7,3',4'-Tetrahydroxy-3-methoxyflavone

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

5,7,4'-Trihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxyflavone

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

5,7,4'-Trihydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyflavone

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

7,3',5'-trihydroxyflavanone

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

7alpha-Hydroxy-beta-sitosterol

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Conditions

Caragana korshinskii has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include desertification.

Desertification

1. Biology