Japanese hedge-parsley

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Japanese hedge-parsley
• erect hedge-parsley
• upright hedge-parsley
• Hedge Parsley

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Torilis elata
• Caucalis anthriscus
• Selinum anthriscus
• Torilis anthriscus var. japonica
• Caucalis aspera
• Selinum torilis
• Torilis stricta
• Torilis rubella
• Torilis praetermissa
• Caucalis coniifolia
• Chaerophyllum hispidum
• Caucalis elata
• Caucalis japonica
• Torilis persica
• Caucalis praetermissa
• Torilis convexa
• Tordylium verecundum
• Torilis rubella f. gracilis
• Tordylium anthriscus
• Daucus anthriscus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Apiales and the family Apiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Torilis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific range of occurrence across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. Its distribution continues northward into the landscapes of Norway and Finland. Additionally, this medicinal species is documented throughout the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Together, these locations define its primary geographical presence in the northern part of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Torilis japonica is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution and diverse environmental settings, ranging from low-lying coastal regions to high-altitude mountainous zones. It occupies a significant vertical gradient, with its presence recorded from a minimum elevation of 150 m AMSL up to a maximum of 3800 m AMSL. The average elevation for this species is approximately 1302.5 m AMSL, indicating a preference for mid-elevation habitats while maintaining the physiological plasticity required to survive in both maritime coastal environments and extreme alpine conditions.

Elevational range max:

3800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1302.5 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

150 m AMSL

Habitat :

Coastal

Life history

The life history of Torilis japonica is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, meaning it completes its entire biological cycle—from germination and vegetative growth to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. Functionally, it operates as a therophyte, a life form defined by its strategy of surviving unfavorable environmental conditions through highly resilient, dormant seeds rather than through persistent above-ground or below-ground vegetative structures. This lifecycle allows the species to rapidly colonize disturbed habitats, utilizing its brief period of activity to maximize reproductive output before the onset of seasonal stress.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Torilis japonica is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. As a terrestrial species, it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting in its structure, lacking the climbing tendencies of a vine or liana. In terms of stature, its height is variable, with a minimum height of 0.2 m, a mean height of approximately 0.65 m, and a maximum potential height reaching up to 2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

0.647333333333333 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Torilis japonica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying entirely on soil-based nutrient uptake rather than capturing prey. Morphologically, its foliage is defined by a mean leaf size of 39.36667 cm², reflecting its structural development and surface area for gas exchange. Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 280.67 cm²/g, a physiological metric that indicates the ratio of leaf area to dry mass and provides insight into its leaf thickness and resource allocation strategies.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

39.36667 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

280.67 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Torilis japonica is driven by biotic pollination processes, specifically utilizing an insect-based syndrome with flies playing a notable role in the transfer of pollen. The flowering period for this species typically begins in June and continues through August. During the reproductive cycle, self-fertilization is present, and the plant does not engage in asexual reproduction. The resulting fruits are characterized by a dry texture, with dimensions averaging 0.3375 cm in length and 0.2 cm in width, though they can vary from a minimum of 0.15 cm to a maximum of 0.4 cm in length and 0.15 cm to 0.25 cm in width. Once mature, the seeds are dispersed via a hydrochorous syndrome. These seeds are quite minute, possessing a mean mass of approximately 0.0017143 g (ranging from 0.00117 g to 0.00198 g) and a consistent seed volume of 1.6 mm³.

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.4 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.3375 cm

Fruit length min:

0.15 cm

Fruit width max:

0.25 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.2 cm

Fruit width min:

0.15 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

fly

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00198 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0017143 g

Seed mass min:

0.00117 g

Seed volume max:

1.6 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Torilis japonica has 1 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Archives of pharmacal research
2. Chemistry & biodiversity
3. Planta medica

Chemicals

Torilis japonica has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE, Bicyclogermacrene, DELTA-CADINENE, Germacrene D, Sesquiterpenes.

BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Bicyclogermacrene

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

DELTA-CADINENE

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Germacrene D

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Sesquiterpenes

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

TJ2

1. Veterinary parasitology

TJE

1. Journal of microbiology and biotechnology

Torilin

1. Planta medica

alpha-Humulene

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Activities

Torilis japonica has 5 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Pesticide.

Anticancer

1. International journal of oncology
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

Antibacterial

1. International journal of oncology

Antimicrobial

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Antioxidant

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Pesticide

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Conditions

Torilis japonica has 11 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Toxoplasma gondii, cancer, colon cancer, colorectal cancer, dysentery.

Toxoplasma gondii

1. Veterinary parasitology

Cancer

1. International journal of oncology

Colon cancer

1. International journal of oncology

Colorectal cancer

1. International journal of oncology

Dysentery

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Fever

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Impotence

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Infertility

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Lymphadenitis

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Rheumatism

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Preparations

Torilis japonica has 4 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include T. japonica fruits, Torilis japonica extract, alcoholic extracts, ethanol extract.

T. japonica fruits

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Torilis japonica extract

1. International journal of oncology

Alcoholic extracts

1. Veterinary parasitology

Ethanol extract

1. Journal of microbiology and biotechnology