Bulbous Nettle

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Bulbous Nettle

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Urticastrum oleraceum
• Laportea dielsii
• Laportea bulbifera subsp. dielsii
• Laportea evitata
• Laportea elevata
• Laportea oleracea
• Laportea sinensis
• Laportea terminalis
• Boehmeria bodinieri
• Fleurya bulbifera
• Urticastrum bulbiferum
• Urticastrum evitatum
• Laportea bulbifera var. sinensis
• Laportea bulbifera subsp. rugosa
• Laportea bulbifera subsp. latiuscula
• Urtica bulbifera

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. Following its placement in the subclass Magnoliidae and order Rosalales, it is further categorized into the family Urticaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Laportea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range spanning several distinct regions across East Asia. Within the Russian Far East, its presence is noted in both the Kuril Islands and the Primorye region. Its distribution extends significantly into China, where it can be found in the Manchuria area. Furthermore, the species is widespread throughout China South-Central and China North-Central. Collectively, these locations highlight the diverse environmental settings where the plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Laportea bulbifera is characterized by its preference for forest habitats, where it thrives within the complex structural layers of these ecosystems. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning a significant vertical gradient in various mountainous or hilly terrains. It is typically found at a minimum elevation of 900 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range centered around 1700 m AMSL. The species demonstrates remarkable ecological plasticity by extending its range to a maximum elevation of up to 3400 m AMSL, allowing it to occupy diverse microclimates ranging from lower montane forests to higher altitude environments.

Elevational range max:

3400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

900 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Laportea bulbifera is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. Its survival strategy is rooted in its specific life forms, functioning as a geophyte, which suggests the presence of underground storage organs that facilitate regrowth after unfavorable conditions. Furthermore, it is categorized as a cryptophyte, indicating that its perennating buds are located below the soil surface or at the soil level, providing a protected mechanism for its continued existence throughout its life cycle.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Laportea bulbifera is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, exhibiting a self-supporting habit rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. This independent species is terrestrial in nature, lacking both parasitic and epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a relatively low profile, 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 Laportea bulbifera is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. Morphologically, the plant's photosynthetic capacity is supported by its foliar dimensions, where leaf lengths typically range from a minimum of 8 cm to a mean of 12 cm, reaching a maximum of 16 cm. The leaf width complements this structure, varying from a minimum of 3.5 cm to a maximum of 8 cm, providing the necessary surface area for light interception and gas exchange essential to its C3 metabolic framework.

Leaf length max:

16 cm

Leaf length mean:

12 cm

Leaf length min:

8 cm

Leaf width max:

8 cm

Leaf width min:

3.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproductive cycle of Laportea bulbifera is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and the production of minute fruits. The flowering period typically begins in August and concludes in September, though the timing can be variable. Following pollination, the plant produces small fruits that exhibit minimal size variation; the fruit length ranges from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.3 cm, with an average length of approximately 0.25 cm.

Flowering time :

Aug

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length max:

0.3 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.25 cm

Fruit length min:

0.2 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Laportea bulbifera has 1 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 root.

Root

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Laportea bulbifera has 22 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROGENIC ACID, Cryptochlorogenic acid, Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, Neochlorogenic acid, RUTIN.

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Cryptochlorogenic acid

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Neochlorogenic acid

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

RUTIN

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

1,4-Diphenyl-1,4-butanedione

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

Coumarins

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Fatty acids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Galuteolin

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

Activities

Laportea bulbifera has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic.

Analgesic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Laportea bulbifera has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include rheumatoid arthritis, hyperlipidemia, hypoglycemia, inflammation, irregular menstruation.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations