Lindera obtusiloba
Japanese Spicebush | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Magnoliids |
Order: | Laurales |
Family: | Lauraceae |
Genus: | Lindera |
Species: | L. obtusiloba |
Binomial name | |
Lindera obtusiloba | |
Lindera obtusiloba is a species of flowering plant in the Lauraceae family, native to China, Korea and Japan. It is a spreading deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 6 m (20 ft) tall and wide, with glossy aromatic leaves and deep yellow flowers which appear in spring before the leaves.[1] Juvenile leaves are lobed (as the name suggests) and are deep purple. The leaves often turn yellow in autumn.
- Closeup of trunks.
This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[2]
Uses
A Lindera obtusiloba water extract inhibited mast-cell-derived allergic inflammation in vitro and vivo, suggesting it may have possible uses in allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis.[3]
The plant contains the anti-histamine compound koaburaside.
See also
References
- ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
- ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Lindera obtusiloba". Retrieved 26 June 2013.
- ↑ Suh WM, Park SB, Lee S, Kim HH, Suk K, Son JH, Kwon TK, Choi HG, Lee SH, Kim SH.,"Suppression of mast-cell-mediated allergic inflammation by Lindera obtusiloba." Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2011 Feb;236(2):240-6