Rubia akane

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• East Asian madder

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rubia nankotaizana
• Rubia chekiangensis
• Rubia cordifolia var. pubescens
• Galium argyi
• Rubia akane
• Rubia akane var. erecta
• Rubia argyi var. pubescens
• Rubia pubescens

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Gentianales and the family Rubiaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Rubia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions in East Asia. Within China, it can be found throughout the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast territories. Its presence extends beyond the Chinese mainland into the neighboring island nation of Japan. Additionally, the species is documented to grow within the Korean peninsula. Consequently, the geographical range of Rubia argyi spans a significant portion of the eastern continental landscape.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Rubia argyi is characterized by its perennial nature and specific survival strategies adapted to its environment. As a plant that maintains its perennating buds at the soil surface, it is classified under the life forms of both hemicrypte and hemicryptophyte. This biological classification indicates that during unfavorable growing seasons, the plant protects its regenerative tissues at or just above the ground level, allowing it to re-emerge vigorously when conditions become suitable. This life cycle supports its establishment in various habitats, where it can persist through multiple seasons by utilizing these specialized bud placements to ensure continuous growth and reproductive success.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Rubia argyi is characterized by its growth form as a herb, which exhibits a non-woody structure throughout its development. It functions as a facultative climber, meaning it possesses the ability to ascend by clinging to surrounding vegetation rather than being an obligatory or strictly self-supporting plant. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, relying on its own metabolic processes rather than a host. Furthermore, it is a terrestrial plant, establishing its root system and growth within the soil rather than occupying an epiphytic niche.

Climber :

facultative

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Rubia argyi 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 root.

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Rubia argyi has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthraquinones, Alizarin, Mollugin, PURPURIN, Steroid.

Anthraquinones

1. Journal of natural products
2. Metabolites

Alizarin

1. Metabolites

Mollugin

1. Journal of natural products

PURPURIN

1. Metabolites

Steroid

1. Journal of natural products

Xanthopurpurin

1. Journal of natural products

triterpenoids

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Rubia argyi has 5 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antiplatelet, Hemostatic.

Antibacterial

1. Metabolites

Anticancer

1. Metabolites

Antioxidant

1. Metabolites

Antiplatelet

1. Journal of natural products

Hemostatic

1. Metabolites