Japanese Larch
Larix kaempferi · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (48 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Japanese Larch, scientifically known as Larix kaempferi, is a versatile coniferous tree native to Japan. Highly valued in traditional medicine, its bark and needles are rich in bioactive compounds like antioxidants and flavonoids. These properties offer therapeutic potential in promoting skin health, reducing inflammation, and supporting overall wellness.
- Family
- Pinaceae
- Native range
- Europe
- Parts used
- Bark · Seeds
- Common names
- Japanese Larch
- Scientific synonyms
- Larix Kaempferi Var. Pendula · Larix Leptolepis Var. Murrayana · 17 more
Names
Common Names
- Japanese larch
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Larix leptolepis
- Alerce del Japón
- Alerce del Japon
- Alerce japonés
- Alerce japones
German:
- Japanische Lärche
- Larix leptolepis
- Japanische Lärche
- Japanische Laerche
French:
- Mélèze du Japon
- Meleze du Japon
- mélèze du Japon
- Meleze du Japon
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Larix kaempferiSynonyms
- Larix kaempferi var. pendula
- Larix leptolepis var. murrayana
- Larix leptolepis var. minor
- Pinus japonica
- Abies kaempferi
- Abies leptolepis
- Pinus kaempferi
- Larix leptolepis pendula
- Larix kaempferi var. rubescens
- Larix leptolepis f. minor
- Larix leptolepis var. louchanensis
- Larix leptolepis f. pendula
- Larix leptolepis
- Larix kaempferi f. rubescens
- Larix kaempferi f. pendula
- Larix orientalis
- Pseudolarix kaempferi
- Pinus leptolepis
- Laricopsis kaempferi
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Pinidae and the order Pinales, falling into the family Pinaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Larix.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Pinidae | WCVP |
| Order | Pinales | WCVP |
| Family | Pinaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Larix | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the country of Denmark. Its presence is also noted within the borders of Finland. Additionally, the species is located in the Faroe Islands, which are known as Føroyar. Finally, the distribution extends to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Føroyar | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known as the Japanese larch, possesses various anatomical components that are utilized in different medicinal and practical applications. The roots are often studied for their underground stability and potential bioactive compounds, while the trunk barks provide a substantial surface area for harvesting materials. The bark found on smaller branches also contains specific chemical constituents, and the twigs can be collected for their fine structural properties. Finally, the seeds serve as the primary reproductive units of the species, containing the genetic essence required for the plant's continued growth and propagation.| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| bark | Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | Journal of Asian natural products research (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | Planta medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pseudolarix acids A and B | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | Planta medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root bark | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | Journal of cellular biochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| trunk barks | Planta medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| twigs | Planta medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Larix kaempferi has 22 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Pseudolaric acid B, PseudoLarix acid B, Pseudolaric acid A, Pseudolaric acid A-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, Pseudolaric acid B-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside.
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Pseudolaric acid B | Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (and other 4 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| PseudoLarix acid B | Molecular pharmacology (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudolaric acid A | Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudolaric acid A-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside | Journal of natural products (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudolaric acid B-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside | Journal of natural products (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| deacetylpseudolaric acid A | Journal of natural products (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 11S-deacetylpseudolaric acid A | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1A | Planta medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2A | Planta medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Methyl pseudolarate A | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Larix kaempferi has 4 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic, Anticancer, Antifungal, Antimicrobial.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Cytotoxic | Planta medica (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | Phytotherapy research : PTR (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | Planta medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Extracts of the root and trunk barks | Planta medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Methanol extract | Parasitology research (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| commercial crude drugs | Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethyl acetate extract | Parasitology research (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | Planta medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pseudolarix acids A and B | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | Journal of cellular biochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | Journal of Asian natural products research (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds of Pseudolarix kaempferi | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |