East Asian hogweed

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• East Asian hogweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Heracleum barbatum subsp. moellendorffii
• Heracleum lanatum subsp. moellendorffii
• Heracleum dissectum subsp. moellendorffii

Regional and Traditional Names

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 Apiales, it is classified under the family Apiaceae and the genus Heracleum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions in East Asia. It can be found growing within the Russian Far East, specifically in the Primorye region. In China, its presence extends through the diverse landscapes of Manchuria and Inner Mongolia. Additionally, the species is widely distributed throughout the North-Central and South-Central parts of the country. Together, these locations highlight the extensive natural range of Heracleum moellendorffii.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Heracleum moellendorffii is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a perennial species, it undergoes a rhythmic cycle of vegetative growth and reproductive phases, often developing robust root systems that allow it to survive periods of dormancy during unfavorable environmental conditions. This life strategy enables the plant to accumulate biomass over several years, eventually producing large, complex inflorescences to facilitate seed dispersal and ensure the continuation of its lineage across its natural habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Heracleum moellendorffii is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, exhibiting a self-supporting structure that does not require climbing assistance. It is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism, lacking parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches an average height of 1.5 m, though its size can vary between a minimum of 1 m and a maximum of 2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

1.5 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Heracleum moellendorffii is characterized by a specialized metabolic framework optimized for its temperate habitat, most notably through its reliance on the C3 photosynthetic pathway. As a C3 plant, its carbon fixation process occurs directly within the mesophyll cells via the enzyme Rubisco, which facilitates the carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate to produce 3-phosphoglycerate. This pathway is highly efficient under moderate temperatures and sufficient moisture levels, allowing the plant to manage its energy production and biomass accumulation effectively. The metabolic regulation within the plant is closely tied to its environmental interactions, where the C3 mechanism dictates its water-use efficiency and its ability to thrive in the shaded or semi-shaded understories common to its natural growth zones.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Heracleum moellendorffii is characterized by the development of specialized fruit structures that vary in dimension across different specimens. The fruits exhibit a specific range of morphological measurements, with lengths typically spanning from a minimum of 0.6 cm to a maximum of 0.8 cm, maintaining an average length of approximately 0.7 cm. In terms of width, the fruits show a broader range of variation, starting from a minimum of 0.4 cm and reaching a maximum of 0.8 cm, with a calculated mean width of 0.675 cm. These dimensions define the physical characteristics of the reproductive units used for dispersal.

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:

0.675 cm

Fruit width min:

0.4 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Heracleum moellendorffii has 1 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 root.

Root

1. Food science & nutrition
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Chemicals

Heracleum moellendorffii has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Carotenoids, Falcarinol, Flavonoid, IL-6, MCP-1.

Carotenoids

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Falcarinol

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Flavonoid

1. Frontiers in plant science

IL-6

1. Food science & nutrition

MCP-1

1. Food science & nutrition

NO

1. Food science & nutrition

Conditions

Heracleum moellendorffii has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include arthritis, backache, cold stress, fever.

Arthritis

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Backache

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Cold stress

1. Frontiers in plant science

Fever

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Preparations

Heracleum moellendorffii has 2 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Root extracts, roots.

Root extracts

1. Food science & nutrition

Roots

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)