Eleutherococcus (Acanthopanax) sieboldianus

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• five-leaved aralia
• Five-fingered Aralia
• Five-leaf Aralia
• Fiveleaf Aralia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aralia pentaphylla var. variegata
• Eleutherococcus sieboldianus f. variegatus
• Acanthopanax sieboldianus
• Acanthopanax pentaphyllus var. variegatus
• Acanthopanax sieboldianus var. variegatus
• Eleutherococcus japonicus var. variegata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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 Apiales and resides in the family Araliaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Eleutherococcus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution that spans across several distinct regions of the world. In Eastern Asia, it can be found growing naturally in Japan and Korea. Its presence is also well-documented within the Southeast region of China. Moving toward North America, the species extends into the North-Central United States, specifically within Illinois. Finally, its range reaches as far as Eastern Canada, including the province of Ontario.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Eleutherococcus sieboldianus is characterized by its status as a perennial species, ensuring its long-term presence within its natural ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth patterns and survival strategies, the plant exhibits a dual classification of life forms; it functions as a phanerophyte, maintaining its buds above the ground to endure environmental stressors, while also displaying characteristics of a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its specific shrub-like stature and growth habit.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Eleutherococcus sieboldianus is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, typically reaching a mean plant height of approximately 2 meters. As a terrestrial species, it thrives in non-aquatic environments and functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic or epiphytic behavior. In terms of structural support, the plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a liana, vine, or climber, maintaining a robust, woody architecture.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Eleutherococcus sieboldianus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant's vegetative morphology is defined by specific leaf dimensions that facilitate its gas exchange and light interception capabilities. The foliage exhibits a varied leaf length, ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 3.5 cm, with a calculated mean length of 2.75 cm. Complementing these longitudinal measurements, the leaf width varies between a minimum of 1.5 cm and a maximum of 2 cm, reflecting the structural parameters necessary for its physiological functions.

Leaf length max:

3.5 cm

Leaf length mean:

2.75 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

2 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Eleutherococcus sieboldianus is characterized by the development of small, globose fruits that serve as the primary dispersal units. These fruits exhibit specific morphological dimensions regarding both their length and width. On average, the fruits possess a mean length and width of 0.7 cm, reflecting a consistent spherical or near-spherical shape. However, there is a measurable degree of variability within the population; the individual fruit dimensions can range from a minimum of 0.6 cm in both length and width to a maximum of 0.8 cm in both length and width. This compact size and specific dimensional range are critical morphological traits for the plant's reproductive cycle and subsequent seed distribution.

Fruit length max:

0.8 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.7 cm

Fruit length min:

0.6 cm

Fruit width max:

0.8 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.7 cm

Fruit width min:

0.6 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Eleutherococcus sieboldianus has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Astragalin, Cauloside B, Echinocystic acid 3-O-arabinoside, Isoquercetin, Methyl hederagenin.

Astragalin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cauloside B

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Echinocystic acid 3-O-arabinoside

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Isoquercetin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Methyl hederagenin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Nicotiflorin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Rhamnocitrin 3-O-glucoside

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Eleutherococcus sieboldianus has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanol extract.

Methanol extract

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)