Glycyrrhiza aspera

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Glycyrrhiza aspera subsp. iconica
• Glycyrrhiza glabra var. aspera
• Glycyrrhiza asperrima lusus subinermis
• Glycyrrhiza asperrima lusus armata
• Coronilla glycyrrhiza
• Astragalus glandulosus
• Glycyrrhiza iconica
• Glycyrrhiza nutantiflora
• Glycyrrhiza purpureiflora
• Glycyrrhiza prostrata
• Glycyrrhiza macrophylla
• Glycyrrhiza hispida
• Glycyrrhiza laxiflora
• Glycyrrhiza laxissima
• Glycyrrhiza asperrima var. desertorum
• Glycyrrhiza asperrima var. subinermis
• Glycyrrhiza asperrima var. intermedia
• Glycyrrhiza asperrima var. glabra
• Glycyrrhiza aspera var. purpureiflora
• Glycyrrhiza aspera var. macrophylla

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 Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae and is identified by the genus Glycyrrhiza. Specifically, it is known as the species Glycyrrhiza aspera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the diverse landscapes of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In the European region, its presence is specifically noted within South European Russia. Moving into Central Asia, the species has a significant range that includes Kazakhstan. It is also widely found throughout the mountainous and arid terrains of Kirgizstan and Turkmenistan. Finally, the geographical reach of this medicinal plant extends into the territory of Tadzhikistan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Glycyrrhiza aspera is characterized by its adaptation to arid and open landscapes, where it typically flourishes within desert, semi-desert, and steppe habitats. This species is found across a significant altitudinal gradient, occupying environments ranging from an elevation of 1100 m AMSL to a maximum of 2700 m AMSL. Its ability to inhabit these diverse, water-limited ecosystems highlights its specialized tolerance for the climatic conditions inherent to dry, open-canopy terrains.

Elevational range max:

2700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1100 m AMSL

Habitat :

desert, semidesert, steppe

Life history

The life history of Glycyrrhiza aspera is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived herbaceous plant, it establishes a robust root system that enables it to survive seasonal changes and re-emerge annually. The developmental cycle involves an initial establishment phase where the plant focuses on developing its underground structures, followed by successive years of vegetative growth and reproductive maturity. This perennial nature ensures that the plant can withstand environmental fluctuations, maintaining a stable presence in its natural habitat over an extended period.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Glycyrrhiza aspera is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form, specifically classified as both a herb and a forb. The plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.4 m. It functions as an independent organism, exhibiting no parasitic tendencies.

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Glycyrrhiza aspera is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle that facilitates its pollination and subsequent seed production. The flowering period typically begins in April, marking the onset of its reproductive phase. This blooming stage continues through the late spring and early summer months, with the flowering period reaching its conclusion in June. Because the timing can be influenced by environmental conditions, the exact window of activity is considered variable across different growing seasons.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Glycyrrhiza aspera has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Glycyrrhiza aspera has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1-Methoxyficifolinol, Dehydroglyasperin C, Licoricidin.

1-Methoxyficifolinol

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Dehydroglyasperin C

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Licoricidin

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Activities

Glycyrrhiza aspera has 4 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antitumor, Cytotoxic.

Antimicrobial

1. Fitoterapia

Antioxidant

1. Fitoterapia

Antitumor

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Conditions

Glycyrrhiza aspera has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Helicobacter pylori.

Helicobacter pylori

1. Helicobacter

Preparations

Glycyrrhiza aspera has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include plant extracts, roots.

Plant extracts

1. Helicobacter

Roots

1. Fitoterapia