littleleaf peashrub

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• littleleaf peashrub

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Robinia microphylla
• Robinia caragana var. arenaria
• Robinia flexilis
• Caragana glomerata
• Caragana arenaria
• Caragana microphylla f. daurica
• Caragana microphylla f. pallasiana
• Caragana microphylla f. viridis
• Caragana microphylla f. tomentosa
• Caragana microphylla var. megalantha

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. It is further organized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, falling within the family Fabaceae. Ultimately, the medicinal species is identified by the genus Caragana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range across several distinct regions of Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. In the western portions of its habitat, it can be found growing within Belarus and throughout the Baltic States. Its distribution extends further southeast to include the territories of Ukraine and South European Russia. Moving towards the east, the species is also documented in the Siberian region, specifically near Chita. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's ability to inhabit diverse environments across the Eurasian landmass.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Caragana microphylla is characterized by its ability to thrive in rugged and demanding environments, specifically favoring mountainous terrains and stony places where soil layers may be thin or unstable. It is frequently found colonizing sandy substrates and growing amidst dense shrubberies, demonstrating a high degree of adaptability to varied ground textures. These habitats suggest a preference for well-drained, often nutrient-poor soils typical of high-altitude or arid landscapes, where the plant can establish itself within complex vegetative communities.

Habitat :

mountains, sand, shrubberies, stony places

Life history

The life history of Caragana microphylla is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. This longevity is complemented by its deciduous nature, meaning the plant undergoes a seasonal shedding of its foliage, typically losing its leaves during the dormant winter period before regenerating them in the spring.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Caragana microphylla is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a shrub. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, as it maintains a terrestrial habitat. This plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. In terms of its physical dimensions, it reaches a maximum plant height of approximately 1 meter.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Caragana microphylla is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation strategies. Morphologically, the plant features obovate leaf forms with entire leaf margins, contributing to its specific surface area and gas exchange capabilities. Furthermore, the foliage is physiologically distinct in that it lacks the development of both leaf thorns and leaf spines, reflecting a structural investment focused on leaf blade integrity rather than defensive dermal appendages.

Leaf form :

obovate

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Caragana microphylla is characterized by a specific phenological cycle centered around its flowering period. The onset of the flowering stage typically begins in June, marking the transition into its reproductive phase. This blooming period continues through the following month, with the flowering process reaching its conclusion in July. This relatively concentrated reproductive window is essential for the plant's seasonal lifecycle and pollination processes.

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Root

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Chemicals

Caragana microphylla has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-SITOSTEROL, Daucosterol, Ononin, Pseudobaptigenin, Trifolirhizin.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Daucosterol

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Ononin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Pseudobaptigenin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Trifolirhizin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

ferulic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica