Hinoki Cypress

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Hinoki Cypress
• hinoki false cypress
• hinoki-cypress
• Japanese cypress

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Retinispora obtusa
• Cupressus obtusa
• Chamaepeuce obtusa

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 Pinidae. Within the order Pinales, it is classified under the family Cupressaceae. Finally, it is identified by its scientific genus, Chamaecyparis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found within the diverse landscapes of Eastern Asia. Its natural range is notably centered in the islands of Japan. Furthermore, the species extends its presence across the Korean Peninsula. It is also documented to grow within the subtropical regions of Taiwan. Collectively, these locations define the specific geographical distribution of this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Chamaecypressus obtusa is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish long-term presence in its ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, it exhibits a growth form where its buds are located high above the ground on woody branches, a structural strategy that facilitates its development into a substantial tree. This phanerophyte classification is consistent across its life stages, ensuring that its reproductive and vegetative structures are maintained well above the soil surface, contributing to its enduring and stable biological existence.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Chamaecypressus obtusa is characterized by its growth form as a perennial woody tree. As a self-supporting organism, it does not exhibit any climbing or liana-like tendencies, maintaining a stable, upright structure. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its ecological habit, functioning as an independent species that does not rely on a parasitic or epiphytic lifestyle. Its physical structure is defined by its significant woodiness, which supports its stature as a robust tree.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Chamaecypressus obtusa is characterized by its specialized adaptations to temperate and montane environments, primarily governed by its metabolic processes and water-use efficiency. As a gymnosperm, it utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells during the light-independent reactions. This C3 pathway dictates its physiological response to light intensity and temperature, as the plant must balance the efficiency of carbon assimilation against the risks of photorespiration, particularly in fluctuating environmental conditions. To mitigate potential water loss associated with gas exchange, the plant employs morphological adaptations such as scale-like leaves with sunken stomata, which help regulate transpiration rates. Furthermore, its physiological resilience is supported by robust osmotic regulation and the ability to maintain cellular integrity during periods of physiological drought or cold stress, ensuring continuous metabolic function despite seasonal variations in moisture availability.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Chamaecypressus obtusa is characterized by a highly flexible flowering phenology and specific seed characteristics. The flowering period is notably variable, with the capacity to produce flowers throughout almost every month of the year, including January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December. Regarding its reproductive output, the plant produces small seeds with a documented mean mass of 0.00319 g. The seed size distribution shows a narrow range, with the minimum seed mass recorded at 0.00218 g and the maximum seed mass reaching 0.0042 g.

Flowering time :

Dec

Seed mass max:

0.0042 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00319 g

Seed mass min:

0.00218 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Chamaecyparis obtusa has 1 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Current issues in molecular biology
2. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
3. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
4. International journal of molecular medicine
5. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)

Chemicals

Chamaecyparis obtusa has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Amentoflavone, BORNYL ACETATE, Flavonoids, Gallic acid, Ginkgetin.

Amentoflavone

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
2. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)

BORNYL ACETATE

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Flavonoids

1. Current issues in molecular biology

Gallic acid

1. Current issues in molecular biology

Ginkgetin

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Hinokiflavone

1. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)

Hinokinin

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Lignans

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Terpenes

1. International journal of molecular medicine

catechins

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Activities

Chamaecyparis obtusa has 3 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiwrinkle, Neuroprotective.

Antioxidant

1. Current issues in molecular biology

Antiwrinkle

1. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)

Neuroprotective

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Conditions

Chamaecyparis obtusa has 9 reported investigations on conditions identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include inflammation, allergies, allergy, antioxidant, asthma.

Inflammation

1. International journal of molecular medicine
2. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
3. International journal of molecular sciences

Allergies

1. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)

Allergy

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Antioxidant

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Asthma

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Dental caries

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Lung inflammation

1. International journal of molecular medicine

Plant disease

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Skin aging

1. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)

Preparations

Chamaecyparis obtusa has 6 reported preparations identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 70% ethanol extract, Plant sap, essential oil, ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of the methanol extract, leaves.

70% ethanol extract

1. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)

Plant sap

1. Journal of functional biomaterials

Essential oil

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of the methanol extract

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Leaves

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Methanol extract of leaves

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin