Eleutherococcus nodiflorus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aralia scandens
• Eleutherococcus nodiflorus var. trifoliolatus
• Acanthopanax hondae
• Eleutherococcus nodiflorus var. gracilistylus
• Eleutherococcus gracilistylus var. villosulus
• Eleutherococcus villosulus
• Hedera scandens
• Acanthopanax gracilistylus var. villosulus
• Eleutherococcus pubescens
• Eleutherococcus gracilistylus
• Eleutherococcus gracilistylus var. major
• Eleutherococcus gracilistylus var. nodiflorus
• Eleutherococcus gracilistylus var. pubescens
• Eleutherococcus gracilistylus var. trifoliolatus
• Acanthopanax nodiflorus
• Acanthopanax spinosus var. pubescens
• Acanthopanax villosulus
• Acanthopanax hondae var. armatus
• Acanthopanax hondae var. inermis
• Acanthopanax gracilistylus
• Acanthopanax gracilistylus var. major
• Acanthopanax gracilistylus var. pubescens
• Acanthopanax gracilistylus var. trifoliolatus

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Apiales. Finally, it resides in the family Araliaceae under the genus Eleutherococcus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is naturally distributed across several key regions of East Asia. Within mainland China, its presence is documented throughout the South-Central territories. It also extends into the North-Central provinces of China. Furthermore, the species can be found growing within the Southeast regions of the country. Finally, its geographical range includes the island of Taiwan in Eastern Asia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Eleutherococcus nodiflorus is characterized by its presence within specific montane environments, where it thrives within a precise altitudinal niche. This species is primarily found at higher elevations, specifically occupying a narrow ecological band between a minimum of 1200 m AMSL and a maximum of 1320 m AMSL. Within this elevational range, the plant adapts to the particular climatic conditions, soil compositions, and light availability unique to these mid-to-high altitude zones, playing a specialized role in its local ecosystem.

Elevational range max:

1320 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Eleutherococcus nodiflorus is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, as it maintains its buds well above the ground level to survive seasonal fluctuations. Depending on the specific environmental conditions and the maturity of the individual specimen, its growth habit may also be described as a nanophanerophyte, reflecting a shorter, more compact shrub-like stature in certain habitats. As a perennial woody species, it establishes a persistent presence in its ecosystem, utilizing its elevated buds to endure winter dormancy before initiating seasonal growth. This life form strategy allows the plant to navigate varying light availability and temperature shifts, ensuring long-term survival through its structural ability to protect meristematic tissues above the soil surface.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Eleutherococcus nodiflorus is characterized by its woody nature and distinct growth form, primarily functioning as a self-supporting shrub. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, maintaining its own nutritional processes without relying on a host. In terms of its ecological habit, the plant is strictly terrestrial, lacking any aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies; it does not function as a holoepiphyte, hemiepiphyte, or any other form of epiphyte, nor does it inhabit water-based environments. While it possesses the structural integrity of a woody shrub, it is not categorized as a climber, liana, or vine, as it lacks the obligatory or facultative climbing mechanisms required to scale other structures, instead maintaining a self-supporting, upright architecture.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Eleutherococcus nodiflorus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation mechanisms. As a C3 plant, it utilizes the enzyme RuBisCO to catalyze the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide into a three-carbon compound, typically 3-phosphoglycerate, during the Calvin cycle. This metabolic strategy is most efficient in temperate environments where moderate temperatures and sufficient moisture allow for optimal gas exchange through the stomata without the high photorespiration rates associated with warmer climates. The plant's energy acquisition and subsequent biosynthesis of secondary metabolites are closely linked to this carbon fixation efficiency, supporting its overall growth patterns and the development of its medicinal compounds.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Eleutherococcus nodiflorus has 3 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, root, stem.

Fruit

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

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Stem

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

Chemicals

Eleutherococcus nodiflorus has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-Kaur-16-en-19-oic acid, AGE, Acankoreoside A, Acankoreoside D, Acantrifoside A.

(-)-Kaur-16-en-19-oic acid

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

AGE

1. Japanese journal of cancer research : Gann

Acankoreoside A

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

Acankoreoside D

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

Acantrifoside A

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

BETA-SITOSTEROL

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

Eleutheroside B

1. Journal of AOAC International

Eleutheroside E

1. Journal of AOAC International

Eleutheroside e1

1. Journal of AOAC International

protocatechuic acid

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

Preparations

Eleutherococcus nodiflorus has 4 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extract, fruits, root bark, stems.

Extract

1. Japanese journal of cancer research : Gann
2. Clinical and experimental immunology

Fruits

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

Root bark

1. Journal of natural products

Stems

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