Oriental yellowhead

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Oriental yellowhead

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Inula britannica subsp. japonica
• Inula britannica var. japonica
• Limbarda japonica

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Asterales and is a member of the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Inula.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution stretching across several distinct regions. In Southeastern Europe, its presence is noted within the borders of Türkiye in Europe. Moving into Eastern Europe, the species can be found inhabiting the Crimea region. Its range extends significantly into Siberia, where it is documented in the Altay mountains. Furthermore, the plant is distributed throughout other Siberian territories, specifically in Buryatiya and Chita.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Inula japonica is characterized by its preference for diverse environments, primarily thriving within forest ecosystems and open meadows. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to colonize a wide variety of mountain and lowland landscapes. Its elevational range begins at a minimum of 150 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 2400 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 1275 m AMSL. This significant vertical spread indicates a high level of adaptability to varying temperature gradients and atmospheric pressures across different topographical zones.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1275 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

150 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, meadows

Life history

The life history of Inula japonica is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. As a perennial, the species undergoes a recurring cycle of vegetative growth and seasonal dormancy, allowing it to establish robust root systems that support its long-term survival in its natural habitat. This perennial nature enables the plant to accumulate energy over several years, often leading to more substantial flowering and seed production in subsequent seasons compared to annual or biennial species. The developmental stages involve an initial establishment phase, followed by repeated periods of seasonal maturation, flowering, and seed dispersal, ensuring the continuity of the population across varying environmental conditions.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Inula japonica is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically presenting as a forb. This plant is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, though it can exhibit semiaquatic or aquatic tendencies depending on environmental conditions. It functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite and is not an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial lifestyle. In terms of structure, it is a self-supporting plant rather than a vine, liana, or obligatory climber. The stature of the species is relatively low, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Inula japonica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. The morphological dimensions of its foliage reflect a specific range of vegetative development, with leaf lengths varying from a minimum of 4 cm to a mean of 8.5 cm, reaching a maximum of 13 cm. Complementing these longitudinal variations, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 1.5 cm and a maximum of 3.5 cm, contributing to the overall surface area available for light interception and gas exchange.

Leaf length max:

13 cm

Leaf length mean:

8.5 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

3.5 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Inula japonica is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering period and the production of minute fruit structures. The flowering cycle typically occurs around September, though the timing can be variable across different environmental conditions. Following pollination, the plant produces small fruits that exhibit very little variation in size; the fruit length ranges from a minimum of 0.1 cm to a maximum of 0.12 cm, with an average length of approximately 0.11 cm.

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length max:

0.12 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.11 cm

Fruit length min:

0.1 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Inula japonica 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 flower.

Flower

1. Planta medica
2. Bioorganic chemistry
3. International journal of biological macromolecules

Chemicals

Inula japonica has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Terpenes, Alantolactone, Compound 1, Compound 14, Compound 3.

Terpenes

1. Planta medica
2. Bioorganic chemistry

Alantolactone

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Compound 1

1. Bioorganic chemistry

Compound 14

1. Planta medica

Compound 3

1. Planta medica

Isoalantolactone

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Sesquiterpenes

1. Bioorganic chemistry

Activities

Inula japonica has 2 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antimicrobial.

Anticancer

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Antimicrobial

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Medicinal Uses

Inula japonica has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, belching, hepatocellular carcinoma, inflammation, metastasis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations