Mallotus

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Mallotus

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Croton japonicus
• Rottlera japonica
• Mallotus japonicus var. angustatus
• Mallotus japonicus var. ochraceoalbidus
• Mallotus nepalensis var. ochraceoalbidus
• Mallotus oreophilus var. ochraceoalbidus

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Mallotus japonicus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Malpighiales and the family Euphorbiaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Mallotus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide distribution across several regions in Eastern Asia. In China, its presence is specifically noted within the Southeast portion of the country. Its range extends significantly through the island nation of Japan, including the Nansei-shotō archipelago. The species is also found throughout the Korean Peninsula. Finally, its geographical reach encompasses the island of Taiwan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Mallotus japonicus is closely defined by its specific altitudinal distribution, thriving within a distinct vertical niche in its natural habitat. The species is primarily found at low to moderate elevations, with its presence ranging from a minimum of 320 m AMSL to a maximum of 600 m AMSL. Within this ecological bracket, the plant maintains an average elevation of approximately 460 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for specific environmental conditions and microclimates characteristic of these mid-range altitudes.

Elevational range max:

600 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

460 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

320 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Mallotus japonicus is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, as it maintains its perennial vegetative structures above the ground level during unfavorable seasons. Within the spectrum of plant life forms, it is specifically identified as a phanerophyte, indicating its status as a woody plant that survives through the development of robust stems and branches. While its growth habit can occasionally align with the characteristics of a nanophanerophyte depending on the specific environmental niche and structural height achieved in certain habitats, its primary life strategy remains centered on its phanerophyte nature. This allows the species to establish a stable, long-lived presence in its ecosystem, utilizing its elevated woody biomass to navigate seasonal changes.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Mallotus japonicus is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it grows as an independent organism rather than a parasite. As a terrestrial species, it lacks epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches an average height of 3 m, with its size ranging from a minimum of 2 m to a maximum of 4 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Plant height mean:

3 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological profile of the foliage in Mallotus japonicus is characterized by significant morphological variability in leaf dimensions. The leaves exhibit a broad range of sizes, with a mean length of 11 cm and a minimum length of 5 cm, reaching a maximum potential length of 17 cm. Complementing this length variation is a corresponding breadth in width, where leaf widths range from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 11 cm, maintaining an overall mean width of 7 cm. This dimensional plasticity suggests a robust physiological capacity to adapt its surface area to varying environmental conditions and light availability.

Leaf length max:

17 cm

Leaf length mean:

11 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

11 cm

Leaf width mean:

7 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Mallotus japonicus is characterized by the production of specialized fruits and seeds with highly consistent morphological dimensions. The fruit is categorized by its dry texture, and its width typically ranges from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 1 cm, with an average width of approximately 0.9 cm. The seeds contained within these fruits exhibit a very uniform profile; the seed volume is consistently measured at 17 mm³, representing both the minimum, maximum, and mean values. Furthermore, the seed mass shows no variation in the recorded data, maintaining a constant value of 0.01671 g for its minimum, mean, and maximum measurements.

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit width max:

1 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.9 cm

Fruit width min:

0.8 cm

Seed mass mean:

0.01671 g

Seed volume max:

17 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Mallotus japonicus has 2 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 leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Stem

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Chemicals

Mallotus japonicus has 23 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include bergenin, 2,6-dihydroxy-3-methyl-4-methoxyacetophenone, 5-Methylene-bis-2,6-dihydroxy-3-methyl-4-methoxyacetophenone, Acetylbergenin, Butyrylmallotochromene.

bergenin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. International journal of molecular sciences
3. Journal of molecular modeling
4. Archives of pharmacal research
5. Journal of applied microbiology

2,6-dihydroxy-3-methyl-4-methoxyacetophenone

1. Journal of natural products

5-Methylene-bis-2,6-dihydroxy-3-methyl-4-methoxyacetophenone

1. Journal of natural products

Acetylbergenin

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Butyrylmallotochromene

1. Journal of natural products

Isobutyrylmallotochromene

1. Journal of natural products

Isomallotochroman

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Isomallotochromanol

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Isomallotolerin

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

MALLOTOCHROMANOL

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Mallotus japonicus has 3 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic, Antitumor, Hepatoprotective.

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of natural products
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
3. Planta medica

Antitumor

1. Planta medica

Hepatoprotective

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Mallotus japonicus has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Aeromonas hydrophila, Aeromonas salmonicida, anal fistula, cancer, leukemia P388.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations