Japanese andromeda
Pieris japonica · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (13 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Japanese andromeda, scientifically known as Pieris japonica, is an evergreen shrub celebrated for its cascading clusters of bell-shaped flowers. While prized in landscaping for its ornamental beauty and resilience, it contains grayanotoxins. These compounds make the plant toxic if ingested, requiring careful handling in garden environments.
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Native range
- Asia-Temperate
- Parts used
- Leaves
- Common names
- Heath · Japanese Pieris · 4 more
- Scientific synonyms
- Not available
Names
Common Names
- Heath
- Japanese pieris
- Japanese-andromeda
- lily-of-the-valley-bush
- Japanese andromeda
- lily of the valley bush
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Andromeda japonesa
German:
- Japanische Lavendelheide
- japanische Lavendelheide
French:
- piéride du Japon
- Andromède du Japon
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Pieris japonicaTaxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ericales, it is situated in the family Ericaceae. It is further categorized under the genus Pieris, specifically identified as Pieris japonica.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ericales | WCVP |
| Family | Ericaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Pieris | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct regions of East Asia. It is native to various parts of China, including the South-Central and Southeast territories. Furthermore, its natural range extends to the islands of Japan and the coastal region of Taiwan. Beyond its Asian origins, the species has also established a presence in the Northeastern United States, specifically within Massachusetts. Consequently, the habitat of Pieris japonica spans from temperate Asian forests to parts of North America.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Japan | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Northeastern U.S.A. | Massachusetts | WCVP |
| Northeastern U.S.A. | Vermont | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Pieris japonica, is often studied for its chemical composition, which is primarily concentrated within its foliage. The leaves are evergreen, leathery in texture, and serve as the main site for the synthesis of various secondary metabolites, such as grayanotoxins. Because these toxic compounds are located in the leaves, they are the specific part of the plant that researchers examine when studying its physiological properties and potential medicinal or toxicological effects.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Pieris japonica has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-hydroxyasebotin, Asebogenin, Asebotin, Magnolenin C, Phlorizin.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| 3-hydroxyasebotin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Asebogenin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Asebotin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Magnolenin C | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Phlorizin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pieroside A | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phloretin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
3-hydroxyasebotin
- Journal of natural products
Asebogenin
- Journal of natural products
Asebotin
- Journal of natural products
Magnolenin C
- Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
Phlorizin
- Journal of natural products
Pieroside A
- Phytochemistry
phloretin
- Journal of natural products
Activities
Pieris japonica has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | Phytochemistry (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Pieris japonica has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include analgesic.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| analgesic | Phytochemistry (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |