Japanese Hop

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Japanese Hop
• Japanese Hops
• hooked hair hops

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Humulopsis scandens
• Humulus scandens var. variegatus
• Humulus japonicus var. minor
• Humulus japonicus var. variegatus
• Humulus japonicus
• Humulus aculeatus
• Antidesma scandens

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Rosales and the family Cannabaceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Humulus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is documented within the borders of Denmark and Sweden. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species can also be found growing in Belgium. Its range extends further into Germany, which serves as another key location for this medicinal plant. Finally, its geographical reach includes Hungary, completing its documented distribution in Middle Europe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Humulus scandens is characterized by its preference for specific lowland environments, typically found within an elevational range spanning from 0 m to a maximum of 500 m AMSL. This species thrives in varied landscapes, frequently occupying inhabited places, riparian zones near rivers, and sandy substrates. Its ability to colonize these diverse niches, particularly where moisture from river systems meets sandy soil, defines its ecological footprint within its native range.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

inhabited places, rivers, sand

Life history

The life history of Humulus scandens is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. As a therophyte, its survival strategy relies on producing seeds that remain dormant in the soil during unfavorable periods, allowing the species to bypass harsh conditions before emerging as new seedlings when environmental circumstances become favorable. This life cycle ensures rapid colonization and reproduction, utilizing its climbing habit to maximize access to sunlight during its brief period of active growth.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Humulus scandens is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing external structures for support rather than being self-supporting. The plant exhibits a terrestrial habit, existing as neither an aquatic nor a semiaquatic species, and it operates as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, it is a climbing plant that can reach a significant height, ranging from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 6 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Humulus scandens is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy that facilitates carbon fixation under typical environmental conditions. The plant's vegetative structure exhibits specific morphological dimensions, particularly regarding its foliage. The leaves typically demonstrate a mean length of 8.5 cm and a mean width of 8.5 cm, though they can vary within a specific physiological range. Specifically, the leaf length ranges from a minimum of 7 cm to a maximum of 10 cm, while the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 7 cm and a maximum of 10 cm. This symmetry in leaf dimensions suggests a balanced surface area optimized for light interception and gas exchange within its ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

8.5 cm

Leaf length min:

7 cm

Leaf width max:

10 cm

Leaf width mean:

8.5 cm

Leaf width min:

7 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Humulus scandens is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and the production of small, lightweight seeds. The flowering period typically commences in July and continues through August. During this reproductive phase, the plant produces seeds that exhibit notable variation in weight; the average seed mass is approximately 0.011136 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.00689 g to a maximum of 0.018 g.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Seed mass max:

0.018 g

Seed mass mean:

0.011136 g

Seed mass min:

0.00689 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Humulus scandens has 2 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 leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Stem

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Chemicals

Humulus scandens has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzaldehyde, CHLOROPHYLL B, Epifriedelanol, GAMMA-SITOSTEROL, HMB.

2-Hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzaldehyde

1. Ecotoxicology and environmental safety

CHLOROPHYLL B

1. Ecotoxicology and environmental safety

Epifriedelanol

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

GAMMA-SITOSTEROL

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

HMB

1. Ecotoxicology and environmental safety

chlorophyll a

1. Ecotoxicology and environmental safety

cis-Asarone

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

friedelanone

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

linoleic acid

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

n-Hexadecanoic acid

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials