Circaea mollis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Circaea lutetiana var. taquetii
• Circaea coreana
• Circaea coreana var. sinensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Circaea mollis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling under the order Myrtales. Finally, it is a member of the family Onagraceae and the genus Circaea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range across several key regions in East Asia. In the Russian Far East, its presence is specifically noted within the Primorye region. Its distribution continues extensively through China, covering the South-Central territories. Furthermore, the species can be found throughout the Manchuria region of China. Finally, its range extends into the North-Central and Southeast parts of the country.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Circaea mollis is characterized by its preference for shaded and sheltered environments, primarily inhabiting forest ecosystems and shrubberies. This species demonstrates a broad altitudinal adaptability, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 2400 m AMSL. Across its distributed range, it maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1200 m AMSL, occupying various niches within the understory of wooded areas where moisture and light levels are conducive to its growth.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Circaea mollis is characterized by its status as a perennial herb, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a perennial, it establishes a stable presence in shaded, moist habitats, often relying on underground structures to survive periods of dormancy. Its developmental cycle involves a seasonal rhythm where it emerges from the soil to produce foliage and eventually transitions into its reproductive phase. During this phase, the plant produces delicate flowering stalks that bear small, inconspicuous blooms, which are subsequently followed by the development of seeds. This perennial lifecycle ensures that the population can maintain itself through repeated seasonal cycles, contributing to its long-term stability within its specific ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Circaea mollis is characterized by its life cycle as a perennial herb, displaying a growth form that is entirely non-woody. As a herbaceous plant, it lacks any woody tissue or permanent structural wood, instead relying on soft, green stems to support its development. This non-woody architecture allows the plant to thrive in the moist, shaded environments typical of its habitat, utilizing its flexible stems and delicate foliage to occupy the forest floor.

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Circaea mollis is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and the development of small, specialized fruits. The plant enters its flowering phase during the month of July, which serves as both the starting and ending period for its bloom. Following pollination, the plant produces fruits that exhibit consistent morphological dimensions; the fruit length typically ranges from a minimum of 0.26 cm to a maximum of 0.35 cm, with an average fruit length recorded at 0.305 cm.

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length max:

0.35 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.305 cm

Fruit length min:

0.26 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Circaea mollis has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, polyphenols.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

polyphenols

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Circaea mollis has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant.

Anticancer

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Antioxidant

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Conditions

Circaea mollis has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include arthritis, colorectal cancer, pain, rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Colorectal cancer

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Pain

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rheumatoid arthritis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology