Cercis chinensis

Cercis chinensis, commonly known as the Chinese Redbud, is a versatile deciduous tree valued in traditional medicine. Beyond its ornamental beauty, its bark and leaves possess therapeutic properties used to treat inflammation and respiratory ailments. This resilient plant remains a significant botanical resource in various Asian medicinal practices today.

  • Scientific name: Cercis chinensis
  • Family: Fabaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Cercis.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Fabales WCVP
Family Fabaceae WCVP
Genus Cercis WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Cercis chinensis, is referred to by various common names depending on the region and language. In Russian, it is called Церцис китайский, while in Korean, it is known as 박태기나무. In Chinese, the plant is called 紫荆 (Zǐjīng), a name that is also used in Cantonese (yue) as 紫荊. Finally, in Japanese, it is commonly referred to as ハナズオウ.
Language Common Name Source
ru Церцис китайский Wikidata
ko 박태기나무 Wikidata
zh 紫荆 Wikidata
ja ハナズオウ Wikidata
yue 紫荊 Wikidata
fa ارغوان چینی Wikidata
lzh 紫荊 Wikidata
zh-cn 紫荆 Wikidata
zh-tw 紫荆 Wikidata
az Çin ərkəvanı Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range that extends across several distinct regions of Asia and Europe. In Europe, its presence is noted within the territory of Ukraine. The distribution continues through the Caucasus region, specifically encompassing the Transcaucasus. Within China, the species is widely spread across the North-Central and South-Central provinces. Additionally, its range reaches the northern reaches of the country in Manchuria.

Region Area Source
Eastern Europe Ukraine WCVP
Caucasus Transcaucasus WCVP
China China South-Central WCVP
China Manchuria WCVP
China China North-Central WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
Eastern Asia Korea WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known as Cercis chinensis, utilizes various components for its therapeutic properties, primarily focusing on the medicinal value found within its aerial parts. The leaves are a significant element of the plant's structure, often being the specific focus when harvesting for traditional remedies. Because the medicinal efficacy is concentrated in these above-ground structures, the entire aerial part is frequently utilized in botanical preparations to harness the plant's natural healing potential.
Total parts
2
Scientific sources
2
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆
aerial part 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Cercis chinensis has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include quercetin, (2R)-naringenin, 3-O-methylquercetin, Methyl gallate, beta-sitosterol.

Total chemicals
12
Scientific sources
13

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
quercetin 2 ★☆☆☆☆
(2R)-naringenin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
3-O-methylquercetin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Methyl gallate 1 ★☆☆☆☆
beta-sitosterol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
daucosterin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
friedelin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gallic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
haematommic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
kaempferol 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Cercis chinensis has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Hypoglycemic.

Total activities
4
Scientific sources
4

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Hypoglycemic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Cercis chinensis has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include analgesic, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, oxidative stress.

Total uses
4
Scientific sources
4

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hypoglycemic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
oxidative stress 1 ★☆☆☆☆