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Helwingia japonica
(Thunb.) F.Dietr.
Japanese Helwingia
Helwingiaceae
Helwingia japonica is a deciduous shrub or small tree in the family Helwingiaceae. It is native to eastern Asia.
Description
Helwingia japonica is a deciduous shrub or rarely a small tree that grows 1 to 2 m tall. Leaves are alternate and simple. The leaf petiole is typically 1 to 5 cm long, on which the leaf blade is typically 3.5 to 9 cm long and 2 to 6 cm wide. The leaf blade is roughly ovate in outline, with a more or less rounded base and a tapering tip, and fine teeth. Leaves are papery in texture, green above, pale green below, with conspicuous veins. The bark is a smooth dark brown or gray. Flowers are dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate individuals, produced in the spring. They grow on top of the leaves, with the peduncle fused with the top of the petiole. Flowers are about 3 to 5 mm in diameter, greenish, with usually 3 or 4 petals. Male (staminate) flowers are found in clusters of 3 to 18, with as many stamens as petals. Female (carpellate) flowers are found in clusters of 1 to 3, with as many stigma lobes as petals. These mature into berries, which are green, becoming red and finally black during the fall. Berries are round and 4 to 8 mm in diameter. Each berry usually contains 1 to 4 seeds (Wu et al. 2005).
The genus Helwingia, which is the only member of its family, is unusual in that its flower clusters grow on top of the leaves. There are a total of four species, of which Helwingia japonica can be distinguished by the leaves with papery texture, and secondary and smaller veins of the leaves being conspicuous (Wu et al. 2005). In addition to the main variety japonica, three other varieties are found in China and Taiwan, named zhejiangensis, papillosa, and hypoleuca. However, they differ in subtle ways such as the exact leaf shape, whether the veins are papillate on the lower surface, and the color of the leaf underside (Wu et al. 2005).
The genus Helwingia, which is the only member of its family, is unusual in that its flower clusters grow on top of the leaves. There are a total of four species, of which Helwingia japonica can be distinguished by the leaves with papery texture, and secondary and smaller veins of the leaves being conspicuous (Wu et al. 2005). In addition to the main variety japonica, three other varieties are found in China and Taiwan, named zhejiangensis, papillosa, and hypoleuca. However, they differ in subtle ways such as the exact leaf shape, whether the veins are papillate on the lower surface, and the color of the leaf underside (Wu et al. 2005).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Helwingia japonica is used medicinally in China, to reduce fevers, improve blood circulation, and treat swellings (Xiang 2016). It is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental, but mostly within China and Japan; elsewhere it is rare and grown generally as a curiosity. The young leaves are edible (Christenhusz 2017).
Distribution
Helwingia japonica is found in generally forested or wooded habitats on slopes, streamsides, and roadsides, at altitudes between 100 and 3400 m. It is native to Japan excluding Hokkaido, South Korea, China (east and south of Gansu province) and Taiwan, northern Myanmar, and Bhutan (Wu et al. 2005; Ohwi et al. 1965).
Status
References
Christenhusz, M. J., Fay, M. F., and Chase, M. W. 2017. Plants of the world: An illustrated encyclopedia of vascular plants. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Ohwi, J., Meyer, F. G., Walker E, H. 1965. Flora of Japan. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution.
Xiang, Q. Y. 2016. Helwingiaceae. In: Kadereit, J., Bittrich, V,, eds. Flowering Plants. Eudicots. The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants. Vol. 14. Springer: Cham. 213–216.
Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 2005. Flora of China. Vol. 14 (Apiaceae through Ericaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Ohwi, J., Meyer, F. G., Walker E, H. 1965. Flora of Japan. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution.
Xiang, Q. Y. 2016. Helwingiaceae. In: Kadereit, J., Bittrich, V,, eds. Flowering Plants. Eudicots. The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants. Vol. 14. Springer: Cham. 213–216.
Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 2005. Flora of China. Vol. 14 (Apiaceae through Ericaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Description
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