Asian bayberry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Asian bayberry
• kaphal

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Agathis veitchii
• Podocarpus nagi var. angustifolius
• Podocarpus nageia var. angustifolius
• Podocarpus nageia var. rotundifolius
• Podocarpus nagi var. rotundifolius
• Dammara veitchii
• Podocarpus nagi var. caesius
• Nageia grandifolia
• Podocarpus nagi var. koshuensis
• Podocarpus formosensis var. koshuensis
• Podocarpus nankoensis
• Podocarpus nagi var. ovatus
• Podocarpus formosensis
• Podocarpus koshunensis
• Nageia caesia
• Morella nagi
• Nageia nankoensis
• Nageia ovata
• Nageia nagi var. koshuensis
• Nageia nagi var. formosensis
• Nageia cuspidata
• Nageia formosensis
• Podocarpus caesius
• Podocarpus cuspidatus
• Podocarpus ovatus
• Podocarpus nagi
• Podocarpus grandifolius
• Decussocarpus nagi
• Decussocarpus nagi var. formosensis
• Myrica nagi

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Pinidae and the order Pinales, falling into the family Podocarpaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Nageia and the species Nageia nagi.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide distribution across several key regions of Eastern Asia. In China, its presence is noted specifically in Hainan as well as throughout China Southeast. The species is also commonly found in Japan, spanning various parts of the archipelago. Furthermore, it can be located within the Korean peninsula. Finally, its range extends to the Nansei-shoto islands, rounding out its geographical footprint.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Nageia nagi is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to maintain its presence in its ecosystem over many years. As a phanerophyte, its buds are located on aerial branches well above the ground, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit and survival strategy. This species maintains a constant green presence through its evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally. Its classification as both a phanerophyte and a perennial ensures a stable, long-lived life cycle within its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Nageia nagi is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically developing into a substantial tree. It typically reaches a significant plant height, with a mean measurement of approximately 25 m. As a terrestrial organism, it grows independently in the soil rather than functioning as an epiphyte or a parasite, maintaining an independent life cycle. Although some species in similar ecological niches may exhibit climbing tendencies, this plant is categorized as self-supporting, meaning it does not rely on other structures for vertical stability as an obligatory or facultative climber would.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Nageia nagi is characterized by specific structural and metabolic attributes that define its growth and resource management. In terms of its structural composition, the plant exhibits a stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 529 mg/cm³, reflecting the internal density and mechanical strength of its woody tissues. Regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrogen from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

529 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Nageia nagi is characterized by an abiotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on wind for the transfer of pollen. The plant does not exhibit self-fertilization, meaning it lacks the ability to fertilize itself and likely requires cross-pollination to ensure genetic diversity. The resulting seeds vary in size, with a minimum mass of 0.344 g and a maximum mass of 0.882 g, resulting in an average seed mass of 0.53 g.

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Seed mass max:

0.882 g

Seed mass mean:

0.53 g

Seed mass min:

0.344 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Nageia nagi has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 19-HYDROXYTOTAROL, Myricanol, Nagilactoside C, Nagilactoside D, Nagilactoside E.

19-HYDROXYTOTAROL

1. Planta medica

Myricanol

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Nagilactoside C

1. Phytochemistry

Nagilactoside D

1. Phytochemistry

Nagilactoside E

1. Phytochemistry

SUGIOL

1. Planta medica

Totaradiol

1. Planta medica

Totarol

1. Planta medica

totaral

1. Planta medica

Preparations

Nageia nagi has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include acetone.

Acetone

1. Pharmacology & toxicology