Illicium tashiroi

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Illicium randaiense
• Illicium anisatum var. tashiroi

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 placed in the order Austrobaileyales and the family Schisandraceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Illicium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the region of Eastern Asia. It is naturally found growing in the diverse landscapes of Japan. Additionally, its presence extends to the island of Taiwan. These two locations represent the primary habitats where the species can be located in the wild. Consequently, its range is relatively limited to these specific East Asian territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Illicium tashiroi is characterized by a woody growth habit, primarily manifesting as a tree or a shrub. As a woody species, it possesses a durable structural framework that supports its stature within its ecosystem. Depending on the specific environmental conditions and developmental stage, the plant's growth form can transition between or exist as either a tree or a shrub.

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Illicium tashiroi is characterized by a metabolic framework centered on a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and energy acquisition strategies. As a C3 plant, it utilizes the enzyme Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide directly into a three-carbon compound during the Calvin cycle. This physiological mechanism typically occurs within the mesophyll cells, where light-dependent reactions capture solar energy to produce ATP and NADPH, subsequently driving the light-independent reactions. Because it lacks the specialized adaptations found in C4 or CAM plants, such as spatial or temporal separation of CO2 fixation, its physiological efficiency is highly dependent on environmental conditions, particularly moisture availability and temperature, to minimize photorespiration and maintain optimal metabolic rates.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Illicium tashiroi has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Tricycloillicinone.

Tricycloillicinone

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin