common bluebeard

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Common Bluebeard

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further categorized under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Caryopteris.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions of the Eastern Hemisphere. In Southeastern Europe, its presence is specifically noted in Bulgaria. Moving toward the East, it can be found within various parts of China, including both the South-Central and Southeast regions. Its range extends further into Eastern Asia, where it is native to Japan. Finally, the distribution encompasses the Korean Peninsula, completing its reach across these diverse territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Caryopteris incana is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its survival through multiple growing seasons. Structurally, it is classified under the life form of a chamaephyte, meaning its perennating buds are located close to or just above the soil surface, allowing it to withstand various environmental conditions. This chamaephyte growth habit contributes to its resilience and ability to re-emerge annually from its established root system.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

Morphologically, Caryopteris incana is characterized as a woody shrub with a self-supporting growth form, meaning it does not require external structures for support. As an independent plant, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, and it grows in a terrestrial manner rather than as an epiphyte. The plant's architecture is defined by its woody nature, contributing to its structural stability as a permanent shrubby specimen.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Caryopteris incana is characterized by a metabolic framework centered on the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism common to most temperate woody shrubs where carbon dioxide is fixed directly into a three-carbon compound during the initial stage of the Calvin cycle. This C3 pathway dictates the plant's water-use efficiency and gas exchange strategies, as it relies on the enzyme RuBisCO for carboxylation, which can lead to photorespiration under high-temperature or drought conditions. To mitigate these physiological stresses, the plant employs various adaptive mechanisms, including the regulation of stomatal conductance to balance CO2 uptake with transpirational water loss. Its physiological resilience is further supported by a robust vascular system capable of transporting water and nutrients through its woody stems, facilitating the metabolic demands of its flowering cycles and seasonal growth patterns.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Caryopteris incana 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 stem.

Stem

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Chemicals

Caryopteris incana has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Caryocanolide, Caryocanoside A, Phlinoside A, Verbascoside, isoverbascoside.

Caryocanolide

1. Journal of natural medicines

Caryocanoside A

1. Journal of natural medicines

Phlinoside A

1. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry

Verbascoside

1. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry

isoverbascoside

1. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry

Activities

Caryopteris incana has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiangiogenic.

Antiangiogenic

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Conditions

Caryopteris incana has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration.

Cancer

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Diabetic retinopathy

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Macular degeneration

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Preparations

Caryopteris incana has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include whole plant.

Whole plant

1. Journal of natural medicines