East Asian eurya

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Japanese Eurya

Scientific Names

Accepted name

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 Ericales, it is classified under the family Pentaphylacaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Eurya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found across several key regions of Eastern Asia. Its range includes the Nansei-shotō islands and the broader territory of Japan. It is also widely distributed throughout Korea. In mainland Asia, the species can be located in Southeast China. Finally, its geographical reach extends to the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within the Assam region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Eurya japonica is characterized by its status as a perennial species, ensuring its long-term presence within its natural ecosystem. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategies, the plant exhibits life forms categorized as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its buds well above the ground level, protected by its woody structure, while its classification as a nanophanerophyte highlights its ability to maintain relatively small, shrub-like woody growth patterns that allow it to thrive in shaded or understory environments.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Eurya japonica is characterized by its robust, woody structure, functioning primarily as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber or liana. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it act as an epiphyte, maintaining a stable growth habit on the ground. Its growth form is categorized as a woody shrub or small tree, characterized by stiff, perennial branches that provide a sturdy, self-supporting framework. This woody development allows the plant to maintain a consistent upright stature within its habitat, distinguishing it from non-woody herbs or graminoids.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

Reproduction in Eurya japonica is characterized by the production of fleshy fruits that serve as the primary dispersal mechanism. Within these fruits, the seeds exhibit significant morphological variation in size. The seed volume is highly variable, ranging from a minimum of 0.9 mm³ to a maximum of 3.8 mm³, with an average seed volume of approximately 1.8 mm³. This range in volume suggests a diverse developmental process or varying levels of resource allocation during the maturation of the seeds within the fleshy fruit structure.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed volume max:

3.8 mm³

Seed volume mean:

1.8 mm³

Seed volume min:

0.9 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Eurya japonica 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Chemicals

Eurya japonica has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include betulinic acid.

betulinic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Eurya japonica has 19 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antiangiogenic, Antibacterial, Anticancer.

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antiangiogenic

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antileukemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Eurya japonica has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration.

Most Reported Uses