Myrica rubra

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Morella rubra f. alba
• Myrica rubra var. acuminata
• Myrica rubra var. alba
• Myrica rubra f. alba
• Morella rubra

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Fagales and the family Myrricaceae. Ultimately, the species is identified within the genus Myrica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical presence across several key regions of East Asia. Within China, it can be found growing in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. Its distribution extends beyond the Chinese mainland into neighboring territories. Specifically, it is documented as part of the natural flora in Japan. Finally, the species is also located within the Korean Peninsula.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Myrica rubra is closely tied to its specific altitudinal distribution, as it inhabits a diverse range of elevations. This plant is typically found across a broad vertical gradient, starting from lower altitudes of 125 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum elevation of 1500 m AMSL. Throughout its natural habitat, it maintains a mean elevational presence of approximately 812 m AMSL, reflecting its ability to adapt to varying environmental pressures and climatic conditions found within these mid-to-high altitude zones.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

812 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

125 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Myrica rubra is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain a continuous presence within its ecosystem over many years. Throughout its developmental stages, the plant exhibits an evergreen habit, retaining its foliage year-round rather than undergoing a seasonal shedding process. This combination of a long-lived life cycle and constant leaf retention enables the plant to engage in sustained photosynthetic activity and consistent growth across multiple seasons.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Myrica rubra is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree. It is a self-supporting, independent plant that does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial habitat. In terms of stature, the species exhibits significant vertical development, with plant heights ranging from a minimum of 10 meters to a maximum of 20 meters, typically reaching an average height of approximately 15 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Plant height min:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Myrica rubra is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation and energy production processes. The plant exhibits specialized leaf morphology, featuring oblanceolate leaf forms with crenate margins. These leaves vary in dimensions, with a minimum length of 16 cm and a width that ranges from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 4 cm, maintaining a mean width of 2.5 cm. Structurally, the foliage is smooth and lacks defensive modifications, as there are no leaf thorns or spines present. Furthermore, the plant plays a significant role in nutrient cycling within its ecosystem due to its ability to function as a nitrogen fixer, facilitating the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form.

Leaf form :

oblanceolate

Leaf length min:

16 cm

Leaf margin :

crenate

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width mean:

2.5 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Myrica rubra is characterized by an abiotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by wind. This process facilitates the movement of pollen to ensure fertilization. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fleshy fruits, which are indicative of a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning the seeds are distributed by animals. The seeds produced during this cycle are uniform in size, with a consistent seed volume of 220 mm³ (representing the minimum, mean, and maximum values).

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Seed volume max:

220 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Myrica rubra has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Stem

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Chemicals

Myrica rubra has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include myricetin, Myricanol, Myricanone, Myricitrin, Dihydromyricetin.

myricetin

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology
3. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology
4. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin
5. Biochemical and biophysical research communications

Myricanol

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Food chemistry
4. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Myricanone

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan
2. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Myricitrin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Dihydromyricetin

1. Journal of the science of food and agriculture

Flavonoids

1. International journal of molecular medicine

Isomyricanone

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Myricanol 11-sulfate

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Myricetin 3-O-rhamnoside

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Myricetrin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Myrica rubra has 8 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antiviral.

Anticancer

1. Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology
2. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology
2. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology
2. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

Antimicrobial

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

Antiviral

1. Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology

Cardioprotective

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

Hepatoprotective

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

Neuroprotective

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Myrica rubra has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include allergens, bacterial infection, cancer, central nervous system diseases, circadian rhythm disorders.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations