sea bilberry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• sea bilberry
• Asiatic bilberry
• Oriental Blueberry

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 Ericales, placing it in the family Ericaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is established within the genus Vaccinium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions in Eastern Asia. It can be found growing within the diverse environments of China, specifically in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. Beyond mainland China, its range extends significantly into the neighboring territories of Japan and Korea. These varied locations suggest that the species is well-adapted to the unique climates found throughout this part of the continent. Consequently, its geographical presence spans multiple distinct ecological zones across the East Asian landscape.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vaccinium bracteatum is characterized by its specific altitudinal distribution within its native habitat. This species is primarily found across a varied elevational gradient, thriving in mid-altitude zones. Its presence is recorded from a minimum elevation of 400 m AMSL, extending through a mean elevation of approximately 900 m AMSL, and reaching its upper ecological limit at a maximum elevation of 1400 m AMSL. This range suggests an adaptation to specific montane or sub-montane environmental conditions, where temperature and moisture levels fluctuate according to the varying altitudes within this 1000-meter vertical span.

Elevational range max:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

400 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Vaccinium bracteatum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. Throughout its lifespan, the plant maintains its foliage as an evergreen, ensuring that its leaves remain functional and green across varying environmental conditions without the seasonal shedding seen in deciduous species.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vaccinium bracteatum is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically categorized as a shrub. This plant is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism, meaning it does not exhibit parasitic behavior. In terms of stature, it is a self-supporting plant that does not rely on climbing structures like vines or lianas. Its physical dimensions vary, with a minimum plant height of 2 meters, an average height of 4 meters, and a maximum potential height reaching up to 6 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Plant height mean:

4 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vaccinium bracteatum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation and energy production processes. Its vegetative structure features elliptic-shaped leaves that exhibit a toothed margin, providing a specific surface area for gas exchange and transpiration. The dimensions of these leaves vary, with a minimum length of 4 cm, a maximum length of 9 cm, and a mean length of 6.5 cm, while the width ranges from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 4 cm. Notably, the leaf morphology is devoid of defensive physical structures, as the plant possesses neither leaf thorns nor leaf spines.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

9 cm

Leaf length mean:

6.5 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf margin :

toothed

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vaccinium bracteatum is characterized by a specialized inflorescence that typically ranges in length from 0.04 m to 0.1 m. The plant produces fleshy fruits that serve as the primary vehicle for propagation, with fruit dimensions varying such that the length ranges from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 0.8 cm (averaging 0.65 cm), while the width ranges from 0.5 cm to a maximum of 0.8 cm (averaging 0.65 cm). These fleshy fruits facilitate a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals for the distribution of seeds. The seeds themselves are quite minute, possessing a consistent mass of approximately 0.00053 g. In terms of physical dimensions, the seed volume varies from a minimum of 1.9 mm³ to a maximum of 3.2 mm³, with a mean seed volume of 2.55 mm³.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

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

Inflorescence length max:

0.1 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.04 m

Seed mass mean:

0.00053 g

Seed volume max:

3.2 mm³

Seed volume mean:

2.55 mm³

Seed volume min:

1.9 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Vaccinium bracteatum 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 leaf.

Leaf

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

Chemicals

Vaccinium bracteatum has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-SITOSTEROL, Epifriedelinol, Friedelin, Ursolic acid, Xanthotoxol.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

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

Epifriedelinol

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

Friedelin

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

Ursolic acid

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

Xanthotoxol

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Vaccinium bracteatum has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include aging, oxidative stress.

Most Reported Uses