Dahurian buckthorn

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rhamnus cathartica var. davurica

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Rosales, it is classified under the family Rhamnaceae. Finally, its taxonomic placement is completed within the genus Rhamnus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across specific regions of Northern Asia. Within Siberia, its presence is noted in both Buryatiya and Chita. The species also extends into the Russian Far East, where it can be found in the Amur region. Furthermore, its range includes the Khabarovsk territory. Finally, the plant is documented within the Primorye region of the Far East.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rhamnus davurica is characterized by its adaptability to diverse landscape features, particularly within temperate forest ecosystems. It frequently colonizes disturbed environments, such as burn clearings, where it can exploit increased light availability and nutrient turnover. The species is commonly found distributed along forest edges, serving as a transitional component of the ecotone, as well as within the interior of forests. Additionally, its presence is notable in riparian zones, as it frequently thrives near rivers, suggesting a preference for areas with sufficient moisture availability and specific soil profiles associated with fluvial environments.

Habitat :

burn clearings, forest, forest edges, rivers

Life history

The life history of Rhamnus davurica is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a long-lived woody plant, it establishes itself through seed germination and undergoes continuous growth, developing a robust structure that allows it to survive seasonal changes over many years. Its developmental stages involve a period of establishment, followed by vegetative expansion, and eventually reaching reproductive maturity where it produces flowers and fruit to facilitate the next generation through sexual reproduction. This perennial lifecycle enables the plant to maintain a stable presence within its ecosystem, contributing to the long-term stability of its habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rhamnus davurica is characterized by a woody growth form that typically manifests as either a shrub or a small tree. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence rather than occupying aquatic or semiaquatic habitats. The plant is self-supporting, lacking the climbing or vine-like structures found in lianas or obligate climbers. In terms of physical dimensions, it can reach a maximum plant height of approximately 10 meters, supported by its robust, woody stem structure.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rhamnus davurica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency under standard environmental conditions. This metabolic strategy involves the direct fixation of atmospheric CO2 through the enzyme Rubisco within the mesophyll cells. In terms of its structural physiology, the plant exhibits a mean stem specific density (SSD) of 640 mg/cm³, a value that reflects the density of its vascular and supportive tissues and contributes to its overall mechanical strength and hydraulic conductivity.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

640 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rhamnus davurica is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering period and precise seed morphological traits. The flowering process typically begins in May and concludes in June, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds with a highly specific mass profile; the mean seed mass is approximately 0.020595 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.01679 g to a maximum of 0.0244 g.

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jun

Seed mass max:

0.0244 g

Seed mass mean:

0.020595 g

Seed mass min:

0.01679 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Rhamnus davurica has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, apigenin, quercetin.

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

apigenin

1. Frontiers in plant science

quercetin

1. Frontiers in plant science

Activities

Rhamnus davurica has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antiproliferative.

Antibacterial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Anticancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiproliferative

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Rhamnus davurica has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antioxidant.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations