Japanese kadsura
Kadsura japonica · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (4 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Japanese kadsura, scientifically known as Kadsura japonica, is a resilient climbing vine native to East Asia. Renowned in traditional medicine, it possesses diverse bioactive properties. This plant is frequently studied for its potential therapeutic benefits, particularly regarding its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, making it a significant subject in ethnopharmacology.
- Family
- Schisandraceae
- Native range
- Asia-Temperate
- Parts used
- Not available
- Common names
- Japanese Kadsura · False Schisandra · 2 more
- Scientific synonyms
- Schisandra Japonica · Uvaria Japonica
Names and Synonyms
Common Names
- Japanese kadsura
- false schisandra
- kadsura
- kadsura vine
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Kadsura japonicaSynonyms
- Schisandra japonica
- Uvaria japonica
Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Austrobaileyales, falling into the family Schisandraceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Kadsura, specifically the species Kadsura japonica.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Austrobaileyales |
| Family | Schisandraceae |
| Genus | Kadsura |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across several regions within Eastern Asia. Its natural range includes the islands of Japan and the Nansei-shotō archipelago. Furthermore, the species can be found growing throughout the Korean Peninsula. The geographical presence of this medicinal plant also extends to the territory of Taiwan. These specific locations define the primary environmental zones where the species thrives.
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| Eastern Asia | Japan |
| Eastern Asia | Korea |
| Eastern Asia | Nansei-shoto |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Botanical Identification
Morphology
The morphology of Kadsura japonica is characterized by its growth form as a woody liana, functioning as an obligatory climber that utilizes surrounding structures for support. Although it exhibits characteristics of a vine, its robust, woody nature distinguishes its structural development. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite, instead maintaining a terrestrial existence rather than acting as an epiphyte. Despite its climbing habit, its fundamental structural classification within its ecological niche aligns with a woody, climbing growth form.
- Climber :
- liana
- Climber :
- obligatory
- Epiphyte :
- terrestrial
- Growth form :
- tree
- Parasite :
- independent
- Woodiness :
- woody
Physiology
The physiology of Kadsura japonica is characterized by a metabolic framework primarily driven by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and water-use efficiency. As a C3 plant, it utilizes the enzyme RuBisCO to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide directly into a three-carbon compound during the Calvin cycle, a process that is most efficient under the temperate, shaded, or semi-shaded forest environments where this species typically thrives. This metabolic strategy requires the plant to maintain high stomatal conductance to facilitate gas exchange, although it remains susceptible to photorespiration under high-temperature or water-stressed conditions. Beyond its carbon assimilation, the plant's physiological activity involves complex secondary metabolic pathways that synthesize bioactive lignans and other specialized metabolites, which are integrated into its systemic resource allocation to support growth and defense mechanisms within its specific ecological niche.
- Photosynthetic pathway :
- C3
Reproduction
The reproduction of Kadsura japonica is characterized by its specialized seed production, which exhibits a highly consistent profile in terms of individual seed weight. Based on empirical data, the seed mass of this species is uniform, with a recorded mean, maximum, and minimum value all measuring exactly 0.004471 g. This lack of variance in seed mass suggests a highly stabilized reproductive mechanism during the maturation process, ensuring that each seed produced carries a precise amount of biological material. This consistency in seed mass is a critical component of its reproductive strategy, influencing how the seeds are dispersed and their subsequent ability to establish new growth within their ecological niche.
- Seed mass mean:
- 0.004471 g
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Chemicals
Kadsura japonica has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Changnanic acid, Longipedlactone A.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Changnanic acid | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Longipedlactone A | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Changnanic acid
- Phytochemistry
Longipedlactone A
- Phytochemistry
Conditions
Kadsura japonica has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include H1N1 influenza viruses, influenza viruses.
| Condition | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| H1n1 influenza viruses | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Influenza viruses | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
H1n1 influenza viruses
- Phytochemistry
Influenza viruses
- Phytochemistry