Japanese Buttercup

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Japanese Buttercup

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ranunculus acris subsp. japonicus
• Ranunculus acris var. japonicus

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ranunculales. Finally, it resides in the family Ranunculaceae under the genus Ranunculus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across various expansive regions within Siberia. It can be found growing in the Buryatiya region of this vast territory. Additionally, the species is documented in the areas of Chita and Irkutsk. Its presence extends further into the southern reaches of Tuva. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant includes the northern expanse of Yakutiya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ranunculus japonicus is characterized by its presence in diverse montane and submontane landscapes, where it typically thrives within forests, meadows, and shrubberies. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying a wide vertical niche that begins at low elevations of 200 m AMSL and extends upward to a maximum of 2500 m AMSL. Across its geographic range, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1350 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for temperate mid-altitude environments where its preferred habitats of woodland edges and open grassy patches provide suitable growing conditions.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1350 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, meadows, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Ranunculus japonicus is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it typically establishes a robust root system that enables it to survive dormant periods and re-emerge annually. Its life cycle involves a recurring pattern of vegetative growth and reproductive phases, often influenced by seasonal environmental shifts. Throughout its existence, the plant undergoes cycles of leaf development, flowering, and seed production, ensuring its continued presence and potential dispersal within its native habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ranunculus japonicus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, typically presenting as a forb. This plant exhibits a self-supporting structure, lacking any climbing or liana-like tendencies, as it is categorized as both a self-supporting obligatory and facultative type. In terms of its ecological niche and habitat preference, the species functions as a semiaquatic organism, capable of inhabiting environments that range from aquatic to terrestrial settings. It is an independent species that does not exhibit parasitic behavior, and it maintains a terrestrial habit rather than acting as an epiphyte.

Aquatic :

semiaquatic

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ranunculus japonicus is characterized by a metabolic framework governed by the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a trait common among many members of the Ranunculaceae family. In this pathway, the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide occurs through the enzyme Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO), which incorporates $\text{CO}_2$ into a three-carbon compound, 3-phosphoglycerate. This process typically takes place within the mesophyll cells, where light-dependent reactions generate the necessary ATP and NADPH to drive the subsequent Calvin cycle. Due to its C3 nature, the plant's carbon assimilation efficiency is highly sensitive to environmental variables such as temperature and light intensity, as the oxygenase activity of RuBisCO can lead to photorespiration under conditions of high heat or water stress. This metabolic profile necessitates efficient transpiration and stomatal regulation to maintain an optimal balance between $\text{CO}_2$ uptake and water loss, ensuring the maintenance of turgor and photosynthetic productivity throughout its growth cycle.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ranunculus japonicus is characterized by a bisexual sexual reproduction system. The flowering period for this species typically begins in June and concludes in July. Following pollination, the plant produces small fruits that exhibit specific dimensional characteristics; the fruit length ranges from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.25 cm, with an average length of 0.225 cm. Similarly, the fruit width varies between a minimum of 0.2 cm and a maximum of 0.25 cm, maintaining a mean width of 0.225 cm. The seeds produced are exceptionally minute, with a consistent seed mass recorded at 0.00085 g, representing both the mean, minimum, and maximum values.

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length max:

0.25 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.225 cm

Fruit length min:

0.2 cm

Fruit width max:

0.25 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.225 cm

Fruit width min:

0.2 cm

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass mean:

0.00085 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ranunculus japonicus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem.

Stem

1. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Ranunculus japonicus has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anemonin, Flavonoids, Scoparone, Ternatolide, Tricin.

Anemonin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Flavonoids

1. Physiologia plantarum

Scoparone

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Ternatolide

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Tricin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

luteolin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

protocatechuic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

scopoletin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Activities

Ranunculus japonicus has 4 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticarcinogenic, Antioxidant, Antiprotozoal.

Antibacterial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Anticarcinogenic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiprotozoal

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Ranunculus japonicus has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include hepatitis B virus, malaria.

Hepatitis b virus

1. Journal of medical virology

Malaria

1. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Ranunculus japonicus has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extract, extract of the young stem of R. japonicus.

Extract

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Extract of the young stem of r. japonicus

1. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)