sea bilberry
Vaccinium bracteatum · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (8 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Sea bilberry, scientifically known as Vaccinium bracteatum, is a resilient shrub native to the coastal regions of Southeast Asia. Renowned for its vibrant, antioxidant-rich berries, this plant is highly valued in traditional medicine for its potential to support ocular health, combat oxidative stress, and provide significant nutritional benefits.
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Native range
- Asia-Temperate
- Parts used
- Leaf
- Common names
- Sea Bilberry · Asiatic Bilberry · 1 more
- Scientific synonyms
- Not available
Names
Common Names
- sea bilberry
- Asiatic bilberry
- Oriental Blueberry
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Vaccinium bracteatumTaxonomical 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.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ericales | WCVP |
| Family | Ericaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Vaccinium | 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.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Japan | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Korea | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Nansei-shoto | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Vaccinium bracteatum, is a medicinal shrub known for its unique morphological characteristics, particularly its specialized foliage. The leaves are a primary focus of its botanical identity, often exhibiting a distinct structure that supports the plant's overall health and medicinal potency. In various traditional applications, these leaves are studied for their bioactive compounds, making them a significant component of the plant's therapeutic profile.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
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.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| BETA-SITOSTEROL | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Epifriedelinol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Friedelin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ursolic acid | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Xanthotoxol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
BETA-SITOSTEROL
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
Epifriedelinol
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
Friedelin
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
Ursolic acid
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
Xanthotoxol
- 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
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| aging | Foods (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | Foods (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |