butcher's broom

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Butcher's-Broom
• box-holly

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ruscus aculeatus var. laxus
• Ruscus laxus
• Ruscus ponticus
• Ruscus parasiticus
• Ruscus aculeatus var. angustifolius
• Ruscus aculeatus f. pumilus
• Ruscus dumosus
• Ruscus aculeatus subsp. laxus
• Ruscus aculeatus subsp. ponticus
• Ruscus flexuosus
• Oxymyrsine pungens

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Ruscus aculeatus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, falling into the order Asparagales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asparagaceae and is categorized under the genus Ruscus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific range of occurrence across several European regions. In Northern Europe, its presence can be noted in both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is also found within the borders of Germany. Additionally, its distribution extends to the landscapes of Hungary. Finally, the plant completes its documented range in Switzerland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ruscus aculeatus is characterized by its preference for diverse terrain, typically flourishing within forest environments, mountainous regions, shrubberies, and stony places. It occupies a specific altitudinal niche, with an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 900 m AMSL to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL, maintaining a mean elevation of approximately 715 m AMSL across its distribution.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

715 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

900 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, mountains, shrubberies, stony places

Life history

The life history of Ruscus aculeatus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. Structurally, it functions as a geophyte, relying on underground storage organs to survive unfavorable periods, and is further classified under the life form of a cryptophyte, where its vital buds are protected below the soil surface.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ruscus aculeatus is characterized by a growth form that can be described as both a shrub and a herb, exhibiting a woody structure. It is a self-supporting plant, functioning as neither a climber nor a parasite, and maintains an independent lifestyle. In terms of habitat and habit, it is strictly terrestrial, not exhibiting aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies. The plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ruscus aculeatus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its temperate forest habitats. This metabolic strategy is closely linked to its structural adaptations, specifically reflected in its leaf morphology and resource allocation. The plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 150 cm²/g, a physiological metric that indicates a moderate balance between leaf thickness and surface area, optimizing its ability to intercept light while managing water loss and biomass investment.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

150 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ruscus aculeatus is characterized by a bisexual sexual reproduction system. The flowering period typically begins in February and concludes in April. The pollination process is categorized as biotic, specifically utilizing an insect pollination syndrome. Notably, self-fertilization is absent in this species. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruit classified as "other," with the fruits measuring an average of 1.11 cm in length and 1.19 cm in width. The resulting seeds exhibit a mean mass of 0.165625 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.17466 g to a maximum of 0.22909 g, with each fruit containing between 11 and 100 seeds. Dispersal is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, specifically via endozoochory, where seeds are dispersed after being ingested by animals.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flowering time :

Feb

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit length mean:

1.11 cm

Fruit type :

other

Fruit width mean:

1.19 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.22909 g

Seed mass mean:

0.165625 g

Seed mass min:

0.17466 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

11-100

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ruscus aculeatus has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome, root.

Rhizome

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Arzneimittel-Forschung

Root

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Ruscus aculeatus has 61 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ruscogenin, Neoruscogenin, CHRYSOPHANIC ACID, Flavonoids, Saponins.

Ruscogenin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB
3. Planta medica
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Die Pharmazie

Neoruscogenin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

CHRYSOPHANIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke
2. Lloydia

Flavonoids

1. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Saponins

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytochemistry

ascorbic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Drugs under experimental and clinical research

ALUMINUM

1. Dr. Duke

Aculeoside A

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Ruscus aculeatus has 408 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Venotonic, 5-HT-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, AP-1-Inhibitor, Absorbent.

Venotonic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)
3. Planta medica

5-HT-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AP-1-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Absorbent

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aggregant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Ruscus aculeatus has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include hemorrhoids, orthostatic hypotension, varicose veins, venous insufficiency, cancer.

Hemorrhoids

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Orthostatic hypotension

1. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)
2. Planta medica

Varicose veins

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB
2. Planta medica

Venous insufficiency

1. Archiv der Pharmazie
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cancer

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Capillary fragility

1. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)

Edema

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Ruscus aculeatus has 13 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts, above-ground and underground part, aerial part, aqueous extracts, extract.

Extracts

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Die Pharmazie

Above-ground and underground part

1. Die Pharmazie

Aerial part

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Aqueous extracts

1. Mycoses

Extract

1. Drugs under experimental and clinical research

Extract of ruscus aculeatus (rae)

1. PloS one

Friable calli

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Organized in vitro plantlet

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Plant cell suspensions

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Plant extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology