Korean Spruce

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Korean Spruce

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Picea koyamae var. koraiensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Pinidae, falling within the order Pinales and family Pinaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is established within the genus Picea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range concentrated within the temperate regions of East Asia. In the Russian Far East, its presence is specifically noted within the Primorye territory. Moving into China, the species can be found spanning across Inner Mongolia and the Manchuria region. Furthermore, the distribution extends southward to include various parts of Korea. Together, these locations define the natural habitat for this particular medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Picea koraienensis is intrinsically linked to high-altitude environments, where it thrives within the complex ecosystems of montane and subalpine regions. It is primarily found inhabiting dense forest ecosystems situated in mountainous terrains, where it plays a structural role in the local flora. These habitats are characterized by specific climatic conditions, including cooler temperatures and significant seasonal variations typical of mountain ranges. Within these forest communities, the species interacts with a variety of soil compositions and moisture levels provided by the montane landscape, contributing to the overall biodiversity and stability of the mountain forest biome.

Habitat :

forest, mountains

Life history

The life history of Picea koraiensis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain a stable presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that protects its vital growth points from seasonal environmental stressors. This phanerophyte life form further defines its physical stature and survival strategy, ensuring long-term development and structural resilience within its habitat.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Picea koraiensis is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which serves as a self-supporting structure. This species exhibits a terrestrial habit, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. It does not possess climbing tendencies, such as liana or vine characteristics, instead maintaining a stable, self-supporting stature. In terms of its physical dimensions, the plant can reach a maximum height of approximately 20 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Picea koraiensis is characterized by specific metabolic and structural adaptations essential for its growth in temperate environments. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism common among gymnosperms that involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle. In terms of its structural composition, the species exhibits a stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 435 mg/cm³, reflecting the internal wood density and mechanical properties of its vascular tissues.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

435 mg/cm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Picea koraiensis has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Picea koraiensis has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include apoptosis, colitis, inflammation, oxidative stress.

Apoptosis

1. Natural product research

Colitis

1. Natural product research

Inflammation

1. Natural product research

Oxidative stress

1. Natural product research