Lysimachia japonica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ericales, it is classified under the family Primulaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Lysimachia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning several distinct regions across Asia. In the Caucasus, its presence is specifically noted within the Transcaucasus area. Its distribution extends into Western Asia, where it can be found in Türkiye. Within China, the species inhabits both the Hainan region and China Southeast. Finally, it is a documented part of the flora in Eastern Asia, particularly in Japan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lysimachia japonica is characterized by its preference for specific environmental niches, primarily thriving in wet places where moisture is consistently available. This species occupies a distinct altitudinal niche, distributed across a significant vertical gradient in mountainous or hilly terrains. Its elevational range extends from a minimum of 1200 m AMSL to a maximum of 2900 m AMSL, allowing it to colonize various subalpine or montane moisture-rich zones within this specific bracket.

Elevational range max:

2900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1200 m AMSL

Habitat :

wet places

Life history

The life history of Lysimachia japonica is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a stable presence in its habitat. Structurally, the species is classified as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or surface debris during unfavorable conditions. This life form, consistent across its morphological classification, enables the plant to effectively navigate seasonal transitions and regenerate from its underground structures each year.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lysimachia japonica is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, typically reaching a maximum plant height of 0.3 m. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit obligatory or facultative climbing behavior. The species is categorized as an independent organism rather than a parasite and exists as a terrestrial plant, lacking epiphyte or strictly aquatic tendencies, though its habitat range can span aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial environments.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological development of Lysimachia japonica is characterized by specific vegetative dimensions that reflect its adaptive growth patterns. The foliar morphology exhibits significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm, maintaining a mean length of approximately 1.75 cm. Complementing this longitudinal growth, the leaf width demonstrates a corresponding range, starting from a minimum of 0.7 cm and reaching a maximum of 2 cm, resulting in a calculated mean width of 1.35 cm. These biometric parameters indicate a compact leaf structure that supports the plant's photosynthetic efficiency and resource allocation within its typical ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

2.5 cm

Leaf length mean:

1.75 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

2 cm

Leaf width mean:

1.35 cm

Leaf width min:

0.7 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lysimachia japonica is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and the production of small, uniform fruit. The flowering period typically commences in May and continues through July. Following pollination, the plant produces fruits that are notably diminutive in size. These fruits exhibit a mean length and width of 0.35 cm, with dimensions ranging from a minimum of 0.3 cm to a maximum of 0.4 cm in both length and width, resulting in a nearly spherical or compact morphology.

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length max:

0.4 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.35 cm

Fruit length min:

0.3 cm

Fruit width max:

0.4 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.35 cm

Fruit width min:

0.3 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Lysimachia japonica has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Grevillol.

Grevillol

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin