bokbunja

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Korean Bramble

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

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 the genus Rubus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range across several regions of East Asia. Within China, its distribution is extensive, spanning from the South-Central and North-Central territories to the Southeast. It can also be found in the far western reaches of the country in Xinjiang. Beyond the borders of China, the species is naturally occurring throughout Korea. Together, these locations define the specific environmental niches where the plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rubus coreanus is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to inhabit diverse montane and submontane environments. This species thrives across a significant vertical gradient, with its presence recorded from low-lying areas starting at a minimum elevation of 100 m AMSL up to high-altitude reaches peaking at 1700 m AMSL. Throughout its natural range, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 900 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for temperate mid-elevation zones where it can integrate into various forest edges and scrubland communities.

Elevational range max:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Rubus coreanus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Structurally, it is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting the traits of a phanerophyte in its growth habit, which signifies that its perennating buds are located well above the ground level. This life strategy enables the species to endure varying environmental conditions by maintaining its reproductive and vegetative structures in an elevated position throughout its developmental stages.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rubus coreanus is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub that functions as a self-supporting plant. It is a terrestrial species that grows independently, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic behavior. The plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 1 m to a maximum of 3 m, with an average height of approximately 2 m. As a self-supporting shrub, it does not exhibit climbing or vine-like characteristics, maintaining a stable, upright structural habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

2 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rubus coreanus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The morphological aspects of its vegetative structure, specifically the foliage, play a critical role in its light interception and gas exchange capabilities. The leaves exhibit significant dimensional variability, with a mean leaf length of 5.5 cm and a range extending from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 8 cm. Complementing this, the leaf width demonstrates a mean value of 3.5 cm, fluctuating between a minimum of 2 cm and a maximum of 5 cm. These leaf dimensions contribute to the overall surface area available for transpiration and photosynthetic activity, supporting the plant's physiological requirements within its ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length mean:

5.5 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width mean:

3.5 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rubus coreanus is characterized by a flowering and fruiting process that relies on specific morphological dimensions for its reproductive success. The flowering stage features blossoms with a length ranging from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 1 cm. Following pollination, the plant develops aggregate fruits that exhibit notable variability in size. The fruit length typically averages 0.65 cm, with measurements ranging from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 0.8 cm. Similarly, the fruit width shows a mean value of 0.65 cm, spanning a range between 0.5 cm and a maximum of 0.8 cm. The reproductive cycle is completed through the production of seeds, which are remarkably consistent in mass; the seed mass remains constant at a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 0.0012 g, ensuring a uniform dispersal potential for the next generation.

Flower length max:

1 cm

Flower length min:

0.7 cm

Fruit length max:

0.8 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.65 cm

Fruit length min:

0.5 cm

Fruit width max:

0.8 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.65 cm

Fruit width min:

0.5 cm

Seed mass mean:

0.0012 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Rubus coreanus 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 fruit.

Fruit

1. The American journal of Chinese medicine

Chemicals

Rubus coreanus has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Sanguiin H-6.

Sanguiin H-6

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Conditions

Rubus coreanus has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include angiogenesis, atherosclerosis.

Angiogenesis

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Atherosclerosis

1. The American journal of Chinese medicine

Preparations

Rubus coreanus has 3 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous fraction, methanol extract, methanol extract from the crude drug.

Aqueous fraction

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Methanol extract

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Methanol extract from the crude drug

1. Archives of pharmacal research