Sakaki

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Mokof japonica
• Taonabo japonica
• Ternstroemia japonica
• Adinandra japonica
• Dupinia japonica
• Ternstroemia cleyera

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Following the order Ericales, it is classified under the family Pentaphylacaceae and resides in the genus Cleyera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several key regions in East Asia. Within China, it is widely distributed throughout the South-Central and Southeast provinces. Its presence also extends into the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Moving further east, the species is found naturally across the islands of Japan. Finally, its habitat encompasses the Korean Peninsula, completing its regional distribution.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cleyera japonica is characterized by its specific habitat preferences within high-altitude environments, where it occupies a niche defined by a narrow altitudinal band. This species thrives within a specialized elevational range, specifically situated between 1500 m AMSL and a maximum of 1630 m AMSL. This restricted vertical distribution suggests that the plant is highly adapted to the particular climatic conditions, soil compositions, and moisture levels found within these montane zones. The ecological stability of the species is closely tied to these precise altitudinal parameters, which likely dictate its growth patterns, reproductive success, and competitive interactions within its mountain ecosystem.

Elevational range max:

1630 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cleyeria japonica is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons within its habitat. Throughout its existence, the species maintains an evergreen status, retaining its foliage to support continuous physiological processes rather than shedding leaves seasonally. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and constant leaf presence enables the plant to establish a stable presence in its ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cleyera japonica is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically developing as a shrub. This plant typically reaches a plant height with a mean of approximately 6 m. In terms of its ecological habit, it is classified as a terrestrial species, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. Although it possesses a sturdy structure, its climbing habit is identified as self-supporting, meaning it does not require external structures for ascent, distinguishing it from obligate lianas or vines.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cleyeria japonica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its habitat. Its vegetative structure features elliptic leaves with entire margins, lacking both leaf thorns and leaf spines, which suggests a morphology optimized for surface area rather than physical defense. In terms of structural composition, the plant exhibits a stem specific density (SSD) of 623 mg/cm³, reflecting the internal cellular density and mechanical strength of its vascular tissues. Furthermore, Cleyeria japonica does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil through its root system rather than through symbiotic biological nitrogen fixation.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

623 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cleyera japonica is characterized by the production of fleshy fruits, which serve as the primary vessel for seed dispersal. The seeds contained within these fruits exhibit highly consistent physical dimensions, with a measured seed volume that remains constant at 4.9 mm³, representing both the minimum and maximum values as well as the mean volume. In terms of weight, the seeds are uniform in their mass, maintaining a consistent value of 0.02525 g across the minimum, maximum, and mean measurements. This stability in seed morphology, combined with the fleshy nature of the fruit, suggests a specialized reproductive strategy focused on consistent seed delivery.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed mass mean:

0.02525 g

Seed volume max:

4.9 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cleyera japonica has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. Archives of pharmacal research
2. Journal of natural products

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Cleyera japonica has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-O-Acetyloleanolic acid, 3-o-acetylursolic acid, Jacaranone, Saponins, Ursolic acid.

3-O-Acetyloleanolic acid

1. Archives of pharmacal research

3-o-acetylursolic acid

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Jacaranone

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Saponins

1. Journal of natural products

Ursolic acid

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Preparations

Cleyera japonica has 2 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include fresh fruits, fresh leaves.

Fresh fruits

1. Archives of pharmacal research
2. Journal of natural products

Fresh leaves

1. Journal of natural products