Chloranthus serratus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tricercandra japonica
• Chloranthus serratus f. prosperus
• Chloranthus elatior
• Chloranthus elatior
• Nigrina serrata
• Chloranthus japonicus
• Chloranthus blumeanus

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further organized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Chloranthales, falling into the family Chloranthaceae. Finally, its taxonomic placement concludes within the genus Chloranthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical range across several key regions of Eastern Asia. Within the Russian Far East, its presence is specifically noted in the Kuril Islands. The species is also extensively distributed throughout various parts of China, including the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan regions. Additionally, its habitat extends into the islands of Japan. Together, these locations define the natural spreading pattern of Chloranthus serratus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Chloranthus serratus is characterized by its preference for specific terrestrial environments, primarily thriving within forest ecosystems and occasionally colonizing stony places. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to occupy diverse montane niches. It can be found at elevations as low as 280 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 1220 m AMSL, and it extends its range up to a maximum altitude of 2300 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2300 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1220 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

280 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, stony places

Life history

The life history of Chloranthus serratus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its habitat through multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived species, it does not follow the rapid cycle of annuals or the two-year cycle of biennials, but instead establishes a stable presence within its ecological niche. Throughout its lifespan, the plant undergoes seasonal physiological changes, typically emerging from underground structures to support vegetative growth and reproductive phases. This perennial nature enables the species to accumulate resources over several years, facilitating more robust flowering and seed production compared to shorter-lived life forms.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Chloranthus serratus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a terrestrial herb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing tendencies, such as being a liana or vine, nor does it function as an epiphyte or a parasite, maintaining an independent lifestyle. In terms of stature, the plant is relatively small, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 0.5 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 0.335 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.335 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Chloranthus serratus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy for plants inhabiting shaded or temperate forest environments. The vegetative morphology, specifically regarding its foliar structure, exhibits significant dimensional variability. The leaves typically maintain an average length of 11 cm, with dimensions ranging from a minimum of 7 cm to a maximum of 15 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width shows a mean value of 5.5 cm, fluctuating between a minimum of 3 cm and a maximum width of 8 cm. This variation in leaf surface area and dimensions supports its physiological processes within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length mean:

11 cm

Leaf length min:

7 cm

Leaf width max:

8 cm

Leaf width mean:

5.5 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Chloranthus serratus is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and the production of minute reproductive structures. The flowering period typically commences in May and concludes in June, though the timing can be variable. Following successful pollination, the plant develops small fruits that exhibit a mean length of 0.275 cm, with individual fruit sizes ranging from a minimum of 0.25 cm to a maximum of 0.3 cm. The seeds produced are exceptionally lightweight, reflecting a mean seed mass of approximately 0.0012565 g. These seeds show slight variations in weight, with the smallest recorded mass being 0.000853 g and the largest reaching up to 0.00166 g.

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit length max:

0.3 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.275 cm

Fruit length min:

0.25 cm

Seed mass max:

0.00166 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0012565 g

Seed mass min:

0.000853 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Chloranthus serratus has 2 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 leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Heliyon

Root

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

Chemicals

Chloranthus serratus has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Chloraeudolide, Chlorajaponol, Chlorajaposide, Chloranthalactone E, Cycloshizukaol A.

Chloraeudolide

1. Journal of natural products

Chlorajaponol

1. Journal of natural products

Chlorajaposide

1. Journal of natural products

Chloranthalactone E

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Cycloshizukaol A

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Heliyon

Glycosides

1. Heliyon

Neolitacumone B

1. Heliyon

Serralactone A

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Tannins

1. Heliyon

Activities

Chloranthus serratus has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anxiolytic, Sedative.

Anxiolytic

1. Heliyon

Sedative

1. Heliyon

Preparations

Chloranthus serratus has 6 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include whole plant, EtOAc fraction (EF), ethanol extract of the whole plants, methanol extract (ME), methanolic leaf extract.

Whole plant

1. Fitoterapia
2. Journal of natural products

Etoac fraction (ef)

1. Fitoterapia

Ethanol extract of the whole plants

1. Journal of natural products

Methanol extract (me)

1. Fitoterapia

Methanolic leaf extract

1. Heliyon

Water fraction (wf)

1. Fitoterapia