Gleditsia japonica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Caesalpiniodes japonicum

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 class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered in Fabales and falls under the family Fabaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Gleditsia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several key regions within China. Its presence is recorded in the South-Central areas, where it adapts to various local climates. Furthermore, it can be found extending northward into the Inner Mongolia region. The species also inhabits the Manchuria area, demonstrating its ability to thrive in different environments. Finally, its geographical range includes the China North-Central and China Southeast regions.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Gleditsia japonica is characterized by its specific distribution within montane environments, where it thrives across a distinct altitudinal gradient. This species is primarily found at higher elevations, occupying a specialized ecological niche that begins at a minimum of 1200 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2500 m AMSL. Within this elevational range, the plant adapts to the specific climatic conditions, soil compositions, and moisture levels typical of temperate montane forests. Its presence within these specific altitude parameters suggests an adaptation to cooler temperatures and the unique hydrological cycles found in mid-to-high elevation mountain ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1200 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Gleditsia japonica is characterized by its substantial growth form, as it develops into a large, robust tree. This species exhibits a distinctly woody nature, possessing a permanent, lignified structural framework that supports its significant stature and canopy.

Growth form :

tree

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Gleditsia japonica is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation mechanisms. Under this C3 pathway, the plant utilizes the enzyme Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) to facilitate the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide into a three-carbon compound, such as 3-phosphoglycerate, during the Calvin cycle. This metabolic strategy typically requires the plant to maintain specific stomatal conductance levels to balance the intake of CO2 with the prevention of excessive transpiration, making its physiological performance highly dependent on ambient moisture and temperature. The reliance on C3 metabolism influences its growth rates, water-use efficiency, and overall adaptation to its specific ecological niche.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Gleditsia japonica is primarily driven by the production of seeds, which exhibit specific morphological characteristics regarding their weight. The seed mass within the species shows a documented range, with a minimum value of 0.133 g and a maximum value of 0.14925 g. On average, the seeds possess a mean mass of 0.141125 g, indicating a relatively consistent size distribution among the reproductive units produced by the plant.

Seed mass max:

0.14925 g

Seed mass mean:

0.141125 g

Seed mass min:

0.133 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Gleditsia 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 fruit.

Fruit

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Gleditsia japonica has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Echinocystic acid, 3,16-Di-O-acetylechinocystic acid, Betulin, Ginsenosides, Gleditsia saponin C.

Echinocystic acid

1. Journal of natural products
2. Physiologia plantarum

3,16-Di-O-acetylechinocystic acid

1. Journal of natural products

Betulin

1. Physiologia plantarum

Ginsenosides

1. Physiologia plantarum

Gleditsia saponin C

1. Journal of natural products

betulinic acid

1. Physiologia plantarum

triterpene

1. Physiologia plantarum

Conditions

Gleditsia japonica has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include HIV.

Hiv

1. Journal of natural products