Ranzania japonica

Ranzania japonica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Berberidaceae
Genus: Ranzania
T.Ito
Species:
R. japonica
Binomial name
Ranzania japonica
T.Ito
Synonyms

Podophyllum japonicum T. Itô ex Maxim.

Ranzania (トガクシソウ, Togakushisou) is a monotypic genus of perennial herbs in the family Berberidaceae. The only species is Ranzania japonica. It is native to woodlands in the mountains of Honshu, Japan. This genus is named in honor of Ono Ranzan, who has been called "the Japanese Linnaeus".[1] Fleshy stems of Ranzania form small colonies from an underground rhizome. Each stem bears two trifoliate compound leaves, and between the leaves is a single or more commonly a small cluster of drooping cup-shaped mauve flowers. These develop into an upright cluster of white berries. The haploid chromosome number is n=7.[2]

Uses

It is occasionally used in shade gardens in the west.[3]

Taxonomy

The taxonomy of this plant has changed a fair amount. It was once placed in family Ranzaniaceae Takht. and also combined into genus Podophyllum.

  • Close-up of flowers
    Close-up of flowers
  • Ranzania japonica growing in a shade garden in Sweden
    Ranzania japonica growing in a shade garden in Sweden

References

  1. ^ Schmid, Wolfram George; Hinkley, Daniel (2002). An Encyclopedia of Shade Perennials. Timber Press. p. 119. ISBN 978-0-88192-549-4.
  2. ^ The Genus Epimedium and Other Herbaceous Berberidaceae.By William Thomas Stearn, Julian Shaw, Peter Shaw Green, Brian Mathew. Published by Timber Press, 2002 p. 34. ISBN 0-88192-543-8
  3. ^ Schmid, Wolfram George (2002). An Encyclopedia of Shade Perennials. Timber Press. p. 282. ISBN 978-0-88192-549-4.


Stub icon

This Berberidaceae article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.