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Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Japanese butterbur
• Japanese sweet coltsfoot
• Creamy Butterbur
• Giant Butterbur
• butterbur
• great butterbur
• sweet-coltsfoot

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Nardosmia japonica

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. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales, it is specifically situated in the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Petasites.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Petasites japonicus, exhibits a specific presence across several regions in Northern Europe. Its distribution can be traced through various territories, including Denmark and Finland. Additionally, the species is found within the Faroe Islands, which are known as Føroyar in the local language. The plant also extends its reach to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Together, these locations define its geographical footprint within the northern reaches of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Petasites japonicus is fundamentally defined by its preference for riparian environments, where it thrives in moist, well-drained settings such as rivers and stony places. These habitats provide the necessary hydrological stability and mineral-rich substrates required for its robust growth. By colonizing the banks of waterways and areas characterized by rocky or stony terrain, the species occupies ecological niches that offer constant access to moisture while preventing waterlogging through natural drainage. This association with riverine ecosystems allows the plant to integrate into dynamic landscapes where periodic water movement and alluvial deposits shape its immediate surroundings.

Habitat :

rivers, stony places

Genetics

The genetics of Petasites japonicus are characterized by a complex chromosomal makeup that reflects its evolutionary history and polyploid nature. The plant exhibits significant variation in its karyotype, with documented chromosome numbers reaching both 60 and 87. This variability in chromosome count suggests a high degree of genomic plasticity, often associated with polyploidy or aneuploidy within different populations or cultivars. Such chromosomal diversity plays a critical role in the plant's genetic adaptability and its ability to thrive in varying environmental conditions, influencing its overall physiological resilience and biochemical composition.

Chromosome number :

60, 87

Life history

The life history of Petasites japonicus is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a cryptophyte, specifically classified as a geophyte, which means its vital organs are protected underground during unfavorable periods. This survival strategy relies on its specialized underground structures, which enable the plant to endure seasonal shifts and re-emerge annually to complete its reproductive and vegetative cycles.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Petasites japonicus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. It functions as a self-supporting plant, lacking any climber or liana tendencies, and is an independent organism that does not act as a parasite. The plant is terrestrial in nature, categorized across aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial habitats, and it is strictly terrestrial rather than being an epiphyte. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.6 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Petasites japonicus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, typical of many temperate herbaceous perennials, and it functions as a non-carnivorous organism, relying entirely on soil-based nutrient uptake rather than insectivory. The plant's vegetative structure is defined by substantial foliar dimensions that facilitate efficient light interception; its leaves exhibit a wide morphological range, with a minimum length of 15 cm and a maximum length of 30 cm, resulting in an average leaf length of 22.5 cm. Complementing this, the leaf width varies from a minimum of 15 cm to a maximum of 30 cm, maintaining a mean width of 22.5 cm. These broad, expansive leaves support the plant's metabolic requirements through standard carbon fixation processes inherent to the C3 cycle.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

30 cm

Leaf length mean:

22.5 cm

Leaf length min:

15 cm

Leaf width max:

30 cm

Leaf width mean:

22.5 cm

Leaf width min:

15 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Petasites japonicus is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and the production of specialized fruit structures. The flowering period typically begins in March and concludes in April, although the timing can be variable. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit classified as an achene. These fruits are consistently small, with a mean, minimum, and maximum length of 0.35 cm. The seeds contained within the fruit are extremely lightweight, possessing a uniform mass of 5e-05 g. As the reproductive cycle progresses, the fruit exhibits a dehiscent nature, allowing for the release of seeds. These seeds are dispersed via an anemochorous syndrome, relying on wind currents to facilitate their movement and colonization of new habitats.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit length max:

0.35 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Seed mass mean:

5e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Petasites 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, root.

Leaf

1. Nutrition research and practice

Root

1. Experimental and therapeutic medicine

Chemicals

Petasites japonicus has 84 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Petasin, S-Japonin, S-Petasin, 6-Acetylfuranofukinol, 6-Angelylfuranofukinol.

Petasin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

S-Japonin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural medicines

S-Petasin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Food & function

6-Acetylfuranofukinol

1. Dr. Duke

6-Angelylfuranofukinol

1. Dr. Duke

9-Acetoxyfukinanolide

1. Dr. Duke

ARSENIC

1. Dr. Duke

Albopetasin

1. Dr. Duke

Angelic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Petasites japonicus has 390 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimigraine, 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, Acarifuge.

Antimigraine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acarifuge

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Acnegenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alcohol-Dehydrogenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Petasites japonicus has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include adipogenesis, cancer stem cells, hepatocellular carcinoma, metabolic diseases, osteoporosis.

Adipogenesis

1. Food & function

Cancer stem cells

1. Journal of natural medicines

Hepatocellular carcinoma

1. Experimental and therapeutic medicine

Metabolic diseases

1. Journal of natural products

Osteoporosis

1. Nutrition research and practice

Preparations

Petasites japonicus has 5 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include an extract, hexane extracts, methanol extract, methanol extracts, methanolic extract.

An extract

1. Journal of natural products

Hexane extracts

1. Food & function

Methanol extract

1. Experimental and therapeutic medicine

Methanol extracts

1. BioFactors (Oxford, England)

Methanolic extract

1. Journal of natural medicines