Asian blue cohosh

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Asian blue cohosh

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Leontice robusta
• Caulophyllum thalictroides subsp. robustum
• Phtheirotheca cyanosperma

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Caulophyllum robustum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Ranunculales. Finally, it is a member of the Berberidaceae family within the genus Caulophyllum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Caulophyllum robustum, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the Russian Far East. Its habitat includes the Amur region, where it can be found growing in suitable environments. The species also extends its reach into the Khabarovsk territory. Furthermore, it is distributed throughout the Kuril Islands and the Sakhalin region. Finally, its range encompasses the coastal area of Primorye.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Caulophyllum robustum is characterized by its preference for diverse, moisture-rich environments, typically found inhabiting forests, riverine systems, and stony places. This species exhibits a significant altitudinal distribution, thriving across a broad vertical gradient. It can be found at minimum elevations of 950 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range centered around 2225 m AMSL, and it reaches its maximum recorded elevation of 3500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

3500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2225 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

950 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, rivers, stony places

Life history

The life history of Caulophyllum robustum is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. As a long-lived herbaceous species, it establishes a stable presence within its ecosystem by developing robust underground structures that allow it to survive periods of dormancy. Each year, the plant emerges from its perennial base to undergo a seasonal cycle of vegetative growth, flowering, and seed production. This continuous lifecycle enables the species to accumulate energy over time, supporting its development of complex reproductive structures and ensuring long-term survival in its specific ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Caulophyllum robustum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, functioning as a self-supporting plant rather than a liana or vine. It is a terrestrial species, existing as an independent organism without parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 1.5 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.8 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.8 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Caulophyllum robustum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency within its native environment. The vegetative architecture is defined by specific leaf dimensions that facilitate light interception and gas exchange. Morphologically, the foliage exhibits significant variation in size, with leaf lengths typically averaging 6 cm, ranging from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 8 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation, the leaf width shows a mean value of 3.25 cm, with dimensions spanning from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 5 cm. These structural parameters work in tandem with the plant's C3 metabolism to support its overall growth and physiological function.

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length mean:

6 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width mean:

3.25 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Caulophyllum robustum is characterized by a specific flowering period that occurs primarily during the month of June. During this seasonal window, the plant produces flowers that are relatively small in size, typically measuring between a minimum of 0.7 cm and a maximum of 0.8 cm in length. This concentrated flowering phase, starting and ending within the month of June, marks the critical reproductive stage for the species.

Flower length max:

0.8 cm

Flower length min:

0.7 cm

Flowering time :

Jun

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Caulophyllum robustum 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 mass spectrometry : JMS
2. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Chemicals

Caulophyllum robustum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Echinocystic acid, Hederagenin, Taspine.

Echinocystic acid

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Hederagenin

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Taspine

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

Preparations

Caulophyllum robustum has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include hair roots, hairy roots.

Hair roots

1. Journal of mass spectrometry : JMS

Hairy roots

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis