Lotus japonicus

Lotus japonicus, commonly known as a model legume, is a small aquatic plant essential to plant biology research. Renowned for its efficient nitrogen-fixing symbiotic relationships with rhizobia, it serves as a vital tool for studying root development, nodulation, and nutrient signaling, providing profound insights into legume evolutionary biology.

  • Scientific name: Lotus japonicus
  • Family: Fabaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is a member of the family Fabaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Lotus.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Fabales WCVP
Family Fabaceae WCVP
Genus Lotus WCVP

Common Names

This plant is known by various common names depending on the language and region. In Chinese, it is referred to as 百脉根, while in Arabic, it is called لوطس ياباني. In Persian, the species is identified as آهوماش ژاپنی, and in Japanese, it is commonly known as ミヤコグサ.
Language Common Name Source
zh 百脉根 Wikidata
ar لوطس ياباني Wikidata
fa آهوماش ژاپنی Wikidata
ja ミヤコグサ Wikidata

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the regions of Eastern Asia. Within this area, its presence is noted in the nation of Japan. It can also be found growing in Korea and the islands of Nansei-shoto. Furthermore, the species extends its range to include Taiwan. These specific locations define the natural geographical footprint of Lotus japonicus.

Region Area Source
Eastern Asia Japan WCVP
Eastern Asia Korea WCVP
Eastern Asia Nansei-shoto WCVP
Eastern Asia Taiwan WCVP

Chemicals

Lotus japonicus has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include L-Phe, PA, PAs, cytokinin, l-phe.

Total chemicals
8
Scientific sources
8

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
L-Phe 1 ★☆☆☆☆
PA 1 ★☆☆☆☆
PAs 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cytokinin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
l-phe 1 ★☆☆☆☆
l-phenylalanine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
methyl jasmonate 1 ★☆☆☆☆
uricase 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

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

Total uses
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
phenylketonuria 1 ★☆☆☆☆