Coptis japonica var. anemonifolia
Coptis japonica var. anemoniifolia, commonly known as Japanese goldthread, is a perennial herb prized in traditional medicine. Renowned for its high berberine content, this plant possesses potent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It is widely utilized to treat digestive ailments, infections, and various inflammatory conditions through its bioactive compounds.
- Scientific name: Coptis japonica var. anemonifolia
- Family: Ranunculaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Ranunculales and placed in the family Ranunculaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Coptis, specifically the variety anemonifolia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ranunculales | WCVP |
| Family | Ranunculaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Coptis | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Coptis japonica var. anemoniifolia, is known by various names depending on the region and language. In Japanese, it is commonly referred to as ヤマコウソ (Yamakouso), while in Chinese, it is known as 蛇床子 (Shéchuángzǐ). In Korean, the plant is called 뱀침낭 (Baemchimnang).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant is characterized by a very specific and limited geographical range. Its natural occurrence is concentrated within the region of Eastern Asia. Specifically, this variety can be found growing natively in Japan. Because of this localized habitat, it is considered an endemic species to that particular island nation. Understanding this distribution is essential for studying its ecological requirements and conservation needs.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Asia | Japan | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Coptis japonica var. anemoniifolia, is primarily valued for its medicinal properties which are concentrated within its underground rhizoes. These thickened, horizontal stems serve as the plant's main storage organ, containing high concentrations of bioactive alkaloids such as berberine. In traditional herbal medicine, the dried rhizomes are harvested, processed, and utilized to treat various ailments due to their potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rhizomes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Coptis japonica var. anemonifolia has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |