Tonic Teacost

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Tonic Teacost

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Isodon japonicus f. albiflorus
• Amethystanthus japonicus f. albidus
• Amethystanthus japonicus var. albiflorus
• Amethystanthus japonicus f. glabricalyx
• Plectranthus japonicus
• Plectranthus glaucocalyx f. glabricalyx
• Amethystanthus japonicus
• Rabdosia japonica
• Rabdosia japonica f. albida
• Rabdosia japonica f. albiflora

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 Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae, it is further classified under the genus Isodon. Its specific species designation is Isodon japonicus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several regions in East Asia. In China, it can be found spanning from the North-Central provinces to the South-Central regions. Additionally, its presence extends into the Manchuria region of the country. Beyond mainland China, the species is also widely distributed throughout the Korean Peninsula. Finally, it is naturally occurring within the islands of Japan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Isodon japonicus is characterized by its preference for specific montane environments, typically flourishing within forest ecosystems, mountain landscapes, and shrubberies. This species occupies a distinct altitudinal niche, with its distribution spanning a significant vertical gradient. It is found at elevations starting from a minimum of 1200 m AMSL, reaching an upper limit of 3000 m AMSL. This ability to inhabit diverse sub-alpine and montane terrains allows it to integrate into varied forest structures and thickets within these high-altitude zones.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1200 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, mountains, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Isodon japonicus is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, meaning it maintains its presence in the ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy and survival mechanism, the plant is classified as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at the soil surface or just below it, allowing it to withstand varying environmental conditions. This specific life form designation, identified through both its hemicryptophyte classification and its positioning within the broader botanical framework of life forms, ensures its ability to persist and regenerate across successive years.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Isodon japonicus is characterized by a growth form primarily classified as a herb, manifesting as a non-woody, terrestrial plant. It typically maintains a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 1.5 m. The plant exhibits an erect shoot orientation and functions as a self-supporting structure, rather than acting as a climber, vine, or liana. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior and is strictly terrestrial in its epiphytic classification, avoiding aquatic or semiaquatic habitats.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Isodon japonicus is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering period that occurs during the height of summer. The flowering process typically begins in July and continues through the month of August. This reproductive cycle is concentrated within this two-month window, marking the primary period for floral development and subsequent seed production.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Isodon japonicus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Isodon japonicus has 23 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 19-hydroxy-1alpha,6-diacetoxy-6,7-seco-ent-kaur-16-en-15-one-7,20-olide, Daucosterol, Effusanin C, Effusanin D, Enmein.

19-hydroxy-1alpha,6-diacetoxy-6,7-seco-ent-kaur-16-en-15-one-7,20-olide

1. Journal of natural products

Daucosterol

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Effusanin C

1. Journal of natural products

Effusanin D

1. Journal of natural products

Enmein

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Excisanin A

1. Planta medica

Excisanin B

1. Journal of natural products

Glaucocalyxin A

1. Advanced biology

Hikiokoshin A

1. Phytochemistry

Kamebacetal A

1. Planta medica

Activities

Isodon japonicus has 3 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antimicrobial.

Antibacterial

1. Biomolecules

Anticancer

1. Biomolecules

Antimicrobial

1. Phytochemistry

Medicinal Uses

Isodon japonicus has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations