Cuscuta japonica
Cuscuta japonica, commonly known as Japanese dodder, is a parasitic plant characterized by its leafless, yellow, thread-like stems. Lacking chlorophyll, it survives by attaching to host plants through specialized structures called haustoria. In traditional medicine, various parts are utilized for their unique bioactive properties and therapeutic potential in various cultures.
- Scientific name: Cuscuta japonica
- Family: Convolvulaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Solanales and the family Convolvulaceae. Its taxonomic identity is completed by its designation within the genus Cuscuta.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Solanales | WCVP |
| Family | Convolvulaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cuscuta | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Cuscuta japonica, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In Korean, it is called 새삼, while in Azerbaijani, it is known as Yapon qızılsarmaşığı. Arabic speakers call it حامول ياباني, and in Chinese, it is identified as 金灯藤 or 日本菟絲子 in traditional contexts.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ko | 새삼 | Wikidata |
| az | Yapon qızılsarmaşığı | Wikidata |
| ar | حامول ياباني | Wikidata |
| zh | 金灯藤 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 日本菟絲子 | Wikidata |
| azb | ژاپون قیزیلسارماشیغی | Wikidata |
| fa | سس ژاپنی | Wikidata |
| arz | حامول يابانى | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 日本菟丝子 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 日本菟丝子 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad distribution across the northernmost reaches of Asia. Within the vast territory of Siberia, it can be found in the Chitá region as well as in Yakutiya. Its presence extends significantly into the Russian Far East, where it inhabits the Amur area. Additionally, the species is documented throughout the Khabarovsk territory. Finally, its geographical range includes the Primorye region of the Russian Far East.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Siberia | Chita | WCVP |
| Siberia | Yakutiya | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Amur | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Khabarovsk | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Primorye | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | Inner Mongolia | WCVP |
| China | Manchuria | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Cuscuta japonica, is a parasitic climber that lacks functional leaves and roots, relying instead on its specialized structure to thrive. The lifecycle begins with the seed, which is capable of remaining dormant in the soil until it detects a suitable host plant nearby. Once germinated, the plant develops a twining stem that wraps tightly around its host, using specialized organs called haustoria to penetrate the host's tissues and extract essential nutrients and water.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seed | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cuscuta japonica has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, hyperoside, quercetin, quercetin 3-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-galactoside, quercetin 3-O-beta-D-galactoside-7-O-beta-D-glucoside.
- Total chemicals
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin 3-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-galactoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin 3-O-beta-D-galactoside-7-O-beta-D-glucoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cuscuta japonica has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, freckles, melasma, memory loss.
- Total uses
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| freckles | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| melasma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| memory loss | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |