palm-leaf raspberry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• palm-leaf raspberry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

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 Rosales, falling into the family Rosaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in the genus Rubus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found within the specific regions of Southeast China. Its natural habitat extends beyond the Chinese mainland to cover parts of Eastern Asia. Specifically, it has been documented growing in the islands of Japan. These distinct locations define the core geographical range of the species. Consequently, its distribution is concentrated in these East Asian territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Rubus chingii is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a perennial species, it establishes a long-term presence in its natural habitat, utilizing stored energy reserves to survive dormant periods and re-emerge annually. This life cycle supports its ability to develop robust woody structures and complex root systems over time, which are essential for its sustained growth and reproductive capacity across successive years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rubus chingii is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub. It functions as a self-supporting plant, neither acting as a climbing liana or vine nor requiring external structures for support. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, and it grows as an independent organism rather than a parasite. In terms of physical dimensions, the plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 1.5 m to a maximum of 3 m, with a mean height of approximately 2.25 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

2.25 m

Plant height min:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rubus chingii is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its ecological niche. The plant's vegetative growth and energy production are closely tied to its leaf morphology, which exhibits significant dimensional variation. The leaves typically maintain a mean length of 6.5 cm, though they can range in length from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 9 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width shows a similar breadth of variation, spanning from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 9 cm, providing a dynamic surface area for light interception and gas exchange essential to its C3 metabolism.

Leaf length max:

9 cm

Leaf length mean:

6.5 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

9 cm

Leaf width min:

4 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rubus chingii is characterized by the development of distinctive floral and fruit structures that facilitate its life cycle. The flowering stage features blossoms with a length that typically ranges from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 4 cm. Following pollination, the plant produces aggregate fruits that vary in size; these fruits generally exhibit a mean length of 1.75 cm and a mean width of 1.75 cm, with individual dimensions fluctuating between a minimum of 1.5 cm and a maximum of 2 cm for both length and width. Within these fruits, the seeds serve as the primary reproductive units, characterized by a highly consistent and minute mass of 0.001 g, which remains constant across the minimum, mean, and maximum recorded values.

Flower length max:

4 cm

Flower length min:

2.5 cm

Fruit length max:

2 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.75 cm

Fruit length min:

1.5 cm

Fruit width max:

2 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.75 cm

Fruit width min:

1.5 cm

Seed mass mean:

0.001 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Rubus chingii has 2 reported plant parts identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, stem.

Fruit

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
4. Frontiers in plant science
5. Life sciences

Stem

1. Plant science : an international journal of experimental plant biology

Chemicals

Rubus chingii has 61 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Anthocyanins, Carotenoids, Gallic acid, Zeaxanthin.

Flavonoids

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB
2. Frontiers in plant science
3. Frontiers in nutrition
4. Frontiers in pharmacology

Anthocyanins

1. Plant science : an international journal of experimental plant biology
2. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB
3. Frontiers in plant science

Carotenoids

1. Plant science : an international journal of experimental plant biology
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Gallic acid

1. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Zeaxanthin

1. Plant science : an international journal of experimental plant biology
2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

ellagic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Frontiers in plant science

2alpha-Hydroxyursolic acid

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

ABSCISIC ACID

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

ARSENIC

1. Dr. Duke

Anthocyanidin

1. Plant science : an international journal of experimental plant biology

Activities

Rubus chingii has 190 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifibrotic, Antioxidant, ACE-Inhibitor, Acetylcholinergic, Acidifier.

Antifibrotic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acetylcholinergic

1. Dr. Duke

Acidifier

1. Dr. Duke

Additive

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Amylase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Rubus chingii has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include chronic kidney disease, enuresis, fibrosis, impotence, inflammation.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations