Coriaria ruscifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

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 Magnoliidae. Within the order Cucurbitales, it is classified under the family Coriariaceae. Specifically, the medicinal species is identified by its genus, Coriaria, and its species name, ruscifolia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across various island regions within the Oceania area. In the Papuasian region, it can be found growing in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Its range extends further into the Southwestern Pacific, where it is present in Fiji. Additionally, the species is documented in the archipelago of Samoa. Finally, the geographical presence of this medicinal plant includes the islands of Vanuatu.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Coriaria ruscifolia is characterized by its ability to inhabit diverse altitudinal gradients, demonstrating significant adaptability across varying mountainous terrains. This species typically thrives within a broad vertical distribution, spanning from lower elevations of 500 m AMSL to high-altitude environments reaching a maximum of 3600 m AMSL. On average, the plant is most commonly found at a mean elevation of 2500 m AMSL, suggesting a strong ecological preference for mid-to-high altitude montane zones. This wide elevational range allows the species to occupy various ecological niches, subject to the specific climatic and soil conditions found throughout these different altitudinal strata.

Elevational range max:

3600 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Coriaria ruscifolia is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy and life form, the species exhibits characteristics of both phanerophytes and nanophanerophytes, depending on the environmental context and the development of its woody structures. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its buds well above the soil surface, enabling it to establish a robust presence, while its nanophanerophyte tendencies reflect a compact growth habit where the shoots are relatively short.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Coriaria ruscifolia is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically developing as a shrub. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is self-supporting and does not exhibit climbing or vining behaviors. The stature of the species varies, with a minimum plant height of 1 meter, a maximum height of 1.6 meters, and a mean height recorded at approximately 4 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.6 m

Plant height mean:

4 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Coriaria ruscifolia is characterized by a metabolic framework centered on the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism where carbon dioxide is initially fixed into a three-carbon compound during the Calvin cycle. This process involves the enzyme RuBisCO facilitating the carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate within the mesophyll cells, a strategy typical of many woody shrubs inhabiting temperate to subtropical environments. In addition to its carbon fixation strategy, the plant exhibits specialized physiological adaptations related to its chemical defense mechanisms, often involving the synthesis of secondary metabolites that serve to deter herbivory. The water-use efficiency and gas exchange dynamics of the species are intrinsically linked to this C3 pathway, influencing its transpiration rates and overall nutrient assimilation under varying environmental conditions.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Coriaria ruscifolia has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Coriaria ruscifolia has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Corianin, ellagic acid 3,3'-dimethylether.

Corianin

1. Fitoterapia

ellagic acid 3,3'-dimethylether

1. Fitoterapia

Preparations

Coriaria ruscifolia has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanol extract of powdered fruits.

Methanol extract of powdered fruits

1. Fitoterapia