Daphne genkwa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Wikstroemia genkwa
• Daphne genkwa var. fortunei
• Daphne genkwa f. taitoensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Further taxonomic placement includes its position in the subclass Magnoliidae and order Malvales. Finally, it is a member of the family Thymelaeaceae within the genus Daphne.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence throughout several key regions in East Asia. In China, its distribution is extensive, covering the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast territories. Beyond the Chinese mainland, its range extends into the island nation of Japan. Additionally, the species can be found growing within the Korean Peninsula. Collectively, these areas define the natural geographical footprint of Daphne genkwa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Daphne genkwa is defined by its specific altitudinal distribution within its native habitat, where it thrives across a distinct vertical gradient. This species is typically found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 300 m AMSL to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL. Within this topographical span, the plant maintains an average elevation of approximately 650 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-altitude ecological zones that provide the specific climatic and environmental conditions necessary for its growth and medicinal potency.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

650 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Daphne genkwa is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish a long-term presence within its habitat through multiple growing seasons. As a deciduous plant, it undergoes a seasonal cycle of shedding its foliage, typically losing its leaves during the dormant winter period before initiating new growth in the spring. This rhythmic pattern of leaf senescence and regrowth is central to its survival strategy, enabling the plant to manage resources efficiently across varying environmental conditions throughout its extended lifespan.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Daphne genkwa is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically classified as a shrub. It is a self-supporting plant that does not require external structures for climbing. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches an average height of 0.65 m, though individual specimens may vary in size, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 1 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.65 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological structure of the foliage in Daphne genkwa is characterized by specific dimensional variations in its leaf morphology, which play a critical role in its photosynthetic surface area and resource management. The leaves exhibit a consistent range of lengths, with a mean leaf length of 3.5 cm, oscillating between a minimum of 3 cm and a maximum of 4 cm. This longitudinal dimension is complemented by a distinct width profile, where the mean leaf width is recorded at 1.5 cm. The lateral expansion of the leaves varies from a minimum width of 1 cm to a maximum width of 2 cm, reflecting a specialized morphological adaptation that optimizes light interception and gas exchange within its physiological framework.

Leaf length max:

4 cm

Leaf length mean:

3.5 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

2 cm

Leaf width mean:

1.5 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Daphne genkwa involves the development of specialized reproductive structures that culminate in the production of small fruits. The morphological characteristics of these fruits are highly consistent across the species, exhibiting a uniform size distribution. Specifically, the fruit length remains constant, with a recorded mean, minimum, and maximum value of 0.4 cm. This lack of variation in fruit dimensions indicates a highly stable reproductive phenotype regarding fruit size, ensuring that each fruit produced maintains a precise length of 0.4 cm throughout its development.

Fruit length max:

0.4 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Daphne genkwa has 3 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, root, stem.

Flower

1. Journal of separation science
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
3. Ultrasonics sonochemistry

Root

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
2. International immunopharmacology

Stem

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Chemicals

Daphne genkwa has 26 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Genkwanin, 3'-hydroxygenkwanin, BETA-SITOSTEROL, Yuanhuacine, apigenin.

Genkwanin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of separation science
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
4. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

3'-hydroxygenkwanin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Yuanhuacine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

apigenin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

luteolin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

3-hydroxyl-genkwanin

1. Journal of separation science

Aurantiamide acetate

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

DOTRIACONTANE

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Activities

Daphne genkwa has 176 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antitussive, Expectorant, 11B-HSD-Inhibitor.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.)

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Ultrasonics sonochemistry

Antitussive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Expectorant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Acetylcholinergic

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Ultrasonics sonochemistry

Conditions

Daphne genkwa has 14 reported investigations on conditions identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, Lewis lung carcinoma, MRSA, analgesic, antioxidant.

Cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Lewis lung carcinoma

1. International immunopharmacology

Mrsa

1. Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.)

Analgesic

1. Ultrasonics sonochemistry

Antioxidant

1. Ultrasonics sonochemistry

Colorectal cancer

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Expectorant

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Inflammation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Metastasis

1. International immunopharmacology

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus

1. Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.)

Preparations

Daphne genkwa has 11 reported preparations identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include chloroform extraction, crude extract, dried flower buds, ethanol extract of the root, ether extracts.

Chloroform extraction

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Crude extract

1. Journal of separation science

Dried flower buds

1. Ultrasonics sonochemistry

Ethanol extract of the root

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Ether extracts

1. Auris, nasus, larynx

Extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flower buds

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Leaf explants

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Methanol extracts

1. Genes & nutrition

Roots

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica