Chinese peashrub

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese peashrub

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aspalathus chamlagu
• Caragana sinica var. megalantha
• Robinia chinensis
• Robinia flava
• Robinia sinica
• Robinia lucida
• Caragana sinica var. longipedunculata
• Robinia chamlagu
• Caragana chinensis
• Caragana chamlagu
• Caragana flava

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. It is further classified within the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is established within the genus Caragana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions of East Asia. In China, its presence is widely documented across the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast territories. It is also found further north within the Manchuria region of the country. Beyond the Chinese mainland, the species extends its range into Eastern Asia. Specifically, it can be located growing naturally in Japan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Caragana sinica is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a self-supporting shrub. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies, and maintains a strictly terrestrial existence, avoiding aquatic or semiaquatic habitats. Its structure is defined by its woodiness, which supports its upright, non-climbing habit, distinguishing it from lianas or vines by its ability to remain self-supporting without the need for external structures.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Caragana sinica is characterized by metabolic adaptations that facilitate survival in arid and semi-arid environments. Central to its energy production is its photosynthetic pathway, which follows the C3 mechanism, utilizing the enzyme RuBisCO to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide during the Calvin cycle. To mitigate the physiological stress imposed by high transpiration rates and water scarcity, the plant exhibits significant xerophytic adaptations, including the regulation of stomatal conductance to balance gas exchange with water loss. Furthermore, its physiological resilience is supported by an extensive root system capable of efficient nutrient uptake and water acquisition, alongside metabolic processes that manage osmotic potential to maintain cellular turgor under fluctuating environmental conditions.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Caragana sinica has 1 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
2. Planta medica
3. Chemistry & biodiversity

Chemicals

Caragana sinica has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-Alpha-Viniferin, Kobophenol A, Hypaphorine, Mayurone, Miyabenol C.

(+)-Alpha-Viniferin

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
2. Planta medica

Kobophenol A

1. Planta medica
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

Hypaphorine

1. Planta medica

Mayurone

1. Journal of natural products

Miyabenol C

1. Planta medica

Pallidol

1. Planta medica

Polysaccharide

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Thujopsene

1. Journal of natural products

alpha-Viniferin

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

arabinose

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Caragana sinica has 9 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Alzheimer's disease, HSV-2, cancer, cough, fatigue.

Alzheimer's disease

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Hsv-2

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Cancer

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Cough

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fatigue

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fever

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hypertension

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hyperuricemia

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Inflammation

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Preparations

Caragana sinica has 5 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Caragana sinica polysaccharide, Extract, cell suspension culture, roots, α-viniferin.

Caragana sinica polysaccharide

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Extract

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Cell suspension culture

1. Journal of natural products

Roots

1. Planta medica

Α-viniferin

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR