creambush

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• creambush
• creambush oceanspray
• hillside oceanspray
• oceanspray
• ocean-spray
• bush oceanspray
• glandular oceanspray
• mountain spray
• rockspiraea

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Spiraea ariifolia var. discolor
• Schizonotus argenteus var. discolor
• Schizonotus discolor
• Holodiscus dumosus
• Sericotheca discolor

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 falls under the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is completed by its placement in the genus Holodiscus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad and diverse geographical distribution across several continents. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented within Great Britain. Moving across the ocean to Western Canada, the species is found in British Columbia. Its range also extends into the Northwestern United States, specifically throughout the state of Idaho. Furthermore, it is located in the states of Montana and Colorado within that same northwestern region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Holodiscus discolor is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Unlike annuals that complete their cycle in a single year or biennials that require two, this plant maintains a long-term presence in its habitat, establishing a stable biological foundation over time. This perennial nature enables it to undergo seasonal cycles of growth and dormancy, facilitating repeated reproductive efforts and long-term survival within its ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Holodiscus discolor is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically classified as a shrub. It functions as a self-supporting plant, exhibiting both self-supporting traits in its climbing mechanism and its overall structural habit, rather than acting as a liana or vine. The plant typically reaches an average height of approximately 2.305 m. In terms of its ecological habit, it is a terrestrial species, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

2.305 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Holodiscus discolor is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation mechanisms. In this pathway, the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide is mediated by the enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO), resulting in the immediate formation of a three-carbon compound, 3-phosphoglycerate. Because it lacks the specialized anatomy of C4 plants or the temporal separation of carbon fixation seen in CAM species, its physiological efficiency is highly dependent on environmental factors such as temperature, light intensity, and moisture availability. Under standard conditions, the plant utilizes the Calvin cycle to convert light energy into chemical energy, though it may face increased photorespiration rates during periods of high thermal stress or limited water availability, a common physiological constraint inherent to the C3 metabolic strategy.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Holodiscus discolor is characterized by the production of remarkably small seeds, which play a critical role in its dispersal and establishment strategies. The seed mass within the species exhibits significant variability, with a recorded mean mass of approximately 0.000134066666666667 g. This lightweight profile allows for efficient movement, though individual seed sizes can fluctuate notably; the measured minimum seed mass is as low as 9.2e-05 g, while the maximum recorded seed mass reaches 0.00036 g. These quantitative traits highlight a reproductive strategy centered on high-volume, low-mass seed production, ensuring a broad distribution across its natural habitat.

Seed mass max:

0.00036 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000134066666666667 g

Seed mass min:

9.2e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Holodiscus discolor has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-SITOSTEROL, CA, CU, FE, Flavonoids.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Ceska a Slovenska farmacie : casopis Ceske farmaceuticke spolecnosti a Slovenske farmaceuticke spolecnosti

CA

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

CU

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

FE

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Flavonoids

1. Ceska a Slovenska farmacie : casopis Ceske farmaceuticke spolecnosti a Slovenske farmaceuticke spolecnosti

Luteolin 7-O-glucoside

1. Ceska a Slovenska farmacie : casopis Ceske farmaceuticke spolecnosti a Slovenske farmaceuticke spolecnosti

MG

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Taraxasterol

1. Ceska a Slovenska farmacie : casopis Ceske farmaceuticke spolecnosti a Slovenske farmaceuticke spolecnosti

ZN

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

kaempferol 3-O-rhamnoside

1. Ceska a Slovenska farmacie : casopis Ceske farmaceuticke spolecnosti a Slovenske farmaceuticke spolecnosti

Preparations

Holodiscus discolor has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts, shoots.

Extracts

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Shoots

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)