Crepis japonica

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Oriental false hawksbeard
• Oriental hawksbeard

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Chondrilla japonica
• Lactuca japonica
• Crepis japonica
• Prenanthes japonica
• Hieracioides japonica

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Youngia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide and scattered geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In Southeastern Europe, its presence can be noted specifically in Sicilia. Its range also extends to Macaronesia, where it is found on both the Canary Islands and Madeira. Moving toward the Southern Hemisphere, the species inhabits the KwaZulu-Natal region of Southern Africa. Finally, its distribution reaches the Western Indian Ocean, specifically within the Comoros.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Youngia japonica is characterized by its broad adaptability across diverse altitudinal gradients, allowing it to inhabit a wide spectrum of terrain. This species exhibits an expansive elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends to significant high-altitude environments, reaching a maximum elevation of 3000 m AMSL. Throughout its natural distribution, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 952.5 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-elevation zones while remaining capable of colonizing both lowland coastal areas and montane habitats. This significant vertical distribution indicates a high degree of ecological plasticity, enabling the plant to thrive in varying climatic conditions and atmospheric pressures encountered across its habitat.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

952.5 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Genetics

The genetics of Youngia japonica are characterized by a specific chromosomal configuration that varies between populations or developmental stages, manifesting in chromosome numbers of 16 and 18. This variation in ploidy or chromosomal count reflects the complex genomic architecture inherent to the species within the Asteraceae family. Such chromosomal diversity often plays a significant role in the plant's evolutionary adaptation and its ability to thrive in diverse ecological niches. The presence of these distinct chromosomal numbers suggests a degree of genetic plasticity that may influence its reproductive strategies and phenotypic stability across different environmental conditions.

Chromosome number :

16, 18

Life history

The life history of Youngia japonica is characterized by a variable lifecycle that can manifest as an annual, biennial, or perennial plant depending on environmental conditions and local ecological pressures. As a member of the Asteraceae family, its developmental stages typically begin with seed germination in disturbed or open soils, leading to the establishment of a basal rosette of leaves. During its growth phase, the plant focuses on nutrient accumulation through its foliage before transitioning into a reproductive stage. This reproductive cycle culminates in the production of flowering heads, which eventually release wind-dispersed seeds to ensure the continuation of the species across successive generations.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Youngia japonica is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form, specifically classified as a forb. This plant is a self-supporting species that does not exhibit climbing or parasitic behavior, functioning as an independent organism. It is primarily a terrestrial plant, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.9 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.9 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Youngia japonica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. The plant exhibits non-succulent vegetative morphology, lacking specialized water-storage tissues within its structures. Its leaf dimensions vary significantly, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 22 cm, while the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 0.5 cm and a maximum of 5 cm.

Leaf length max:

22 cm

Leaf length min:

1.5 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Youngia japonica is characterized by a flowering period that typically begins in May and continues through August. The plant produces fruit in the form of an achene, which is classified as an indehiscent type. These small fruits are quite diminutive in size, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.15 cm to a maximum of 0.25 cm.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

0.25 cm

Fruit length min:

0.15 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Youngia japonica has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROGENIC ACID, caffeic acid, caftaric acid.

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Photochemical & photobiological sciences : Official journal of the European Photochemistry Association and the European Society for Photobiology

caffeic acid

1. Photochemical & photobiological sciences : Official journal of the European Photochemistry Association and the European Society for Photobiology

caftaric acid

1. Photochemical & photobiological sciences : Official journal of the European Photochemistry Association and the European Society for Photobiology

Activities

Youngia japonica has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiallergenic, Antioxidant, Antitumor, Antiviral.

Antiallergenic

1. Photochemical & photobiological sciences : Official journal of the European Photochemistry Association and the European Society for Photobiology

Antioxidant

1. Photochemical & photobiological sciences : Official journal of the European Photochemistry Association and the European Society for Photobiology

Antitumor

1. Photochemical & photobiological sciences : Official journal of the European Photochemistry Association and the European Society for Photobiology

Antiviral

1. Photochemical & photobiological sciences : Official journal of the European Photochemistry Association and the European Society for Photobiology

Preparations