Torilis japonica

Last updated

Torilis japonica
Torilis japonica.jpeg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae
Genus: Torilis
Species:
T. japonica
Binomial name
Torilis japonica

Torilis japonica, the erect hedgeparsley, [1] upright hedge-parsley [2] or Japanese hedge parsley, is a herbaceous flowering plant species in the celery family Apiaceae. Japanese hedge parsley is considered both an annual and biennial plant depending on the biogeographical location. [3] This means Japanese hedge parsley can complete its life cycle in either one or two growing seasons depending on habitat. Japanese hedge parsley is typically found in areas with disturbed soils, pastures, margins, open woodland, near waste sites, or right-of-way habitats. [4] It can withstand a variety of habitats, thriving in partial and full shaded areas, but also withstanding habitats with full sunlight penetration. [5] It is considered an aggressive invasive species in North America; invading a wide range of habitats due to its environmental tolerance and tendency to outcompete native vegetation. [5] This species is considered a threat in several areas that causes problems relating to overall environmental health and stability. [3] Aside from its environmental implications, T. japonica has potential to fight several cancers through a terpene it produces called Torilin, extracted from its fruits. [6]

Contents

Description

Japanese hedge parsley typically grows between 2–4 feet tall during its second year of growth. [3] The leaves of Japanese hedge parsley are fern-like, alternate, divided pinnately, and have very slim stems that support each leaf. [6] The plant doesn't flower until its second growth year in June–August [4] and the flowers are white with five petals in multiple broad domed umbels. [6] The flowers are bisexual in the epicenter and a stamen is located at the margins of the umbels. [6] There are five stamens that alternate with the petals of the flowers and the ovary is located below. [6] Japanese hedge parsley can be described as unspecialized and self-fertile, and very attractive to pollinators. [6]

Each plant produces easily distributable bristle-textured, rosy or white/green fruits that eventually turn brown when mature. [7] The fruits are schizocarps and then mericarps when split into two. [6] The schizocarpic fruits are dry, remain closed until maturity, and have two pollen-containing chambers. [6] Each mericarp of the fruit is five-ribbed, making its dispersal highly effective and competitive towards native vegetation. [5]

Distribution

Despite japonica meaning “of Japan”, the native range of Japanese hedge parsley spans from Western Europe to central Asia, northern Japan, and Mediterranean parts of northern Africa. [6] In Europe, T. japonica is a summer annual/biennial. In its United States invasive range, it is considered a summer biennial. In Japan, it is considered a winter annual. [4]

As an invasive species in North America

The major threat from Japanese hedge parsley is its ability to grow vigorously and disperse rapidly. [3] Japanese hedge parsley was first introduced to North America in 1917 and has been considered invasive since its introduction. [6] Reasons for its introduction are unknown, but it is assumed it was for medicinal purposes because it is not considered ornamental. [6] The plant's current distribution as an invasive species is in southern parts of Canada and in the Midwestern, Eastern, Southern parts of the US, and Oregon. [3]

In Wisconsin, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) found that this plant tends to establish itself along roadsides, edge habitats, or open areas and then spread to grasslands, prairies, savannahs, and forests. [7] A 1979 study revealed that Japanese hedge parsley seeds showed the most promising degree of survival in harsh and disturbed soils, which revealed its overall resilience and threatening ability to invade. [8] Also, the plant can produce seeds that do not germinate until the following autumn of the next year, allowing seeds to build up in the seed bank and increase elimination difficulty. [4] This strategy gives Japanese hedge parsley an advantage in areas where native vegetation fails to grow or becomes disturbed. [4] Mowing of the initially-established habitats encourage population density growth when brown fruits are present, which could be the reason for its initial ability to spread over a short period of time.

This species has been commonly misidentified with other species within the genus Torilis (T. arvensis), which has inhibited knowledge of its range and overall seriousness as a threat to biodiversity. [6] Researchers have not determined why this plant is invasive in North America while exhibiting not invasive tendencies as an agricultural weed in Europe. [6] The species is clearly highly adaptive to its biogeographic location, utilizing certain strategies more than others depending on the environment in which it is found. Studies have shown that seed dormancy and germination differ greatly across the US and across the globe. This limiting the scientific understanding on management strategies. [8] To date, there are no documented studies on Japanese hedge parsley's effect on native vegetation communities in relation to the possible response to climate change [6] or eutrophication.

Control strategies

The Wisconsin DNR has listed several non-chemical ways of removing the species. They list pulling, cutting, or mowing the stems as being effective, but only 50-70% effect the following season after treatment. When the brown fruits are present on the plants, it is important to avoid mowing to limit seed spread. [5] If the brown fruits are present when pulling and cutting, fruits should be disposed of properly to avoid dispersal. [5] Prescribed burns are another non-chemical control method that the Wisconsin DNR suggests when treating Japanese hedge parsley. After applying this control method, the following season shows a 50% effectiveness in terms of permanent removal. [5] Thus, burning may only be effective in conjunction with other control techniques and / or fire adapted habitats such as prairies. [5]

The Wisconsin DNR also recommends several chemical management options for treating Japanese hedge parsley. Glyphosate, a common herbicide that is applied to the leaves of plants to regulate growth. [9] As a means of chemical control, glyphosate should be applied to Japanese hedge parsley vegetation during its first year of growth in the fall or spring. [5] Although, this was found to be less than 50% effective the season after treatment. [5] Chemical treatment with Metasulfuron can be applied to rosettes in the spring or fall and was found to be 70-90% effective the season following the treatment. [5] Lastly, the DNR mentions Triclopyr, a common herbicide used on woody and herbaceous weeds, [9] as a means of chemical treatment to rosettes in the spring or fall, but may result in contamination of groundwater if not used properly and is only 50-70% effective the season after the control methods. [5]

In terms of Japanese hedge parsley's seed resilience and germination, it was found that when exposed to lower temperatures the seeds become dormant, which can also be reversed by exposure to higher temperatures. [8] This suggests that Japanese hedge parsley can become more aggressive in higher temperatures, eluding to possible effects of climate change. A study exploring the impacts of clipping time on Japanese hedge parsley and seed production recommend clipping the plant in the reproductive phase but before fruit ripening. [7]

In Wisconsin, Japanese hedge parsley is prohibited/restricted under the state's Invasive Rule- NR 40. [3] This identifies the species as established in the state and posing a huge threat to human and environmental health and transporting, possessing, or introducing without a permit is regulated. [3] Overall, very little policy has been made in response to the biological invasion of this species.

Medicinal use

Japanese hedge parsley has been known for its medicinal properties in Chinese traditional medicine. [6] It has been used for treating hemorrhoids, spasm, uterine tumors, fever, and dysentery. [6] Recently, medical studies have shown that Japanese Hedgeparsley may have a potential for combating cancer. [6] A substance known as torilin can be extracted from the plant and has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of 5 alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. [10] Torilin is a compound from the fruits of the plant and has been shown to inhibit the growth of blood vessels in tumor development from benign to malignant and thus has a toxic effect on tumors. [6] It also has been found to inhibit the conversion of testosterone to androgen, which is being studied further in the treatment of prostate cancer and alopecia. [6]

Related Research Articles

<i>Reynoutria japonica</i> Species of flowering plant in the buckwheat family Polygonaceae

Reynoutria japonica, synonyms Fallopia japonica and Polygonum cuspidatum, is a species of herbaceous perennial plant in the knotweed and buckwheat family Polygonaceae. Common names include Japanese knotweed and Asian knotweed. It is native to East Asia in Japan, China and Korea. In North America and Europe, the species has successfully established itself in numerous habitats, and is classified as a pest and invasive species in several countries.

<i>Lonicera japonica</i> Flowering shrub known as Japanese honeysuckle

Lonicera japonica, known as Japanese honeysuckle and golden-and-silver honeysuckle, is a species of honeysuckle native to eastern Asia. It is often grown as an ornamental plant, but has become an invasive species in a number of countries. Japanese honeysuckle is used in traditional Chinese medicine.

<i>Bromus tectorum</i> Species of grass

Bromus tectorum, known as downy brome, drooping brome or cheatgrass, is a winter annual grass native to Europe, southwestern Asia, and northern Africa, but has become invasive in many other areas. It now is present in most of Europe, southern Russia, Japan, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Greenland, North America and western Central Asia. In the eastern US B. tectorum is common along roadsides and as a crop weed, but usually does not dominate an ecosystem. It has become a dominant species in the Intermountain West and parts of Canada, and displays especially invasive behavior in the sagebrush steppe ecosystems where it has been listed as noxious weed. B. tectorum often enters the site in an area that has been disturbed, and then quickly expands into the surrounding area through its rapid growth and prolific seed production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frugivore</span> Organism that eats fruit

A frugivore is an animal that thrives mostly on raw fruits or succulent fruit-like produce of plants such as roots, shoots, nuts and seeds. Approximately 20% of mammalian herbivores eat fruit. Frugivores are highly dependent on the abundance and nutritional composition of fruits. Frugivores can benefit or hinder fruit-producing plants by either dispersing or destroying their seeds through digestion. When both the fruit-producing plant and the frugivore benefit by fruit-eating behavior the interaction is a form of mutualism.

<i>Tribulus terrestris</i> Species of flowering plant

Tribulus terrestris is an annual plant in the caltrop family (Zygophyllaceae) widely distributed around the world. It is adapted to thrive in dry climate locations in which few other plants can survive.

<i>Centaurea solstitialis</i> Species of flowering plant

Centaurea solstitialis, the yellow star-thistle, is a species of thorny plant in the genus Centaurea, which is part of the family Asteraceae. A winter annual, it is native to the Mediterranean Basin region and invasive in many other places. It is also known as golden starthistle, yellow cockspur and St. Barnaby's thistle.

<i>Melilotus albus</i> Species of flowering plant in the bean family Fabaceae

Melilotus albus, known as honey clover, white melilot (UK), Bokhara clover (Australia), white sweetclover (USA), and sweet clover, is a nitrogen-fixing legume in the family Fabaceae. Melilotus albus is considered a valuable honey plant and source of nectar and is often grown for forage. Its characteristic sweet odor, intensified by drying, is derived from coumarin.

<i>Ardisia crenata</i> Species of plant

Ardisia crenata is a species of flowering plant in the primrose family, Primulaceae, that is native to East Asia. It is known by a variety of names such as Christmas berry, Australian holly, coral ardisia, coral bush, coralberry, coralberry tree, hen's-eyes, and spiceberry. A. crenata is a compact shrub that reaches 1 metre (3.3 ft), often with a single stem. Leaves are dark green, thick, glossy, and have tightly waved edges The flowers are small, white or reddish, fragrant, and form clusters. The fruit is a glossy, bright red drupe. The seeds are able to germinate under a dense canopy and are dispersed by birds and humans.

<i>Carduus pycnocephalus</i> Species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae

Carduus pycnocephalus, with common names including Italian thistle, Italian plumeless thistle, and Plymouth thistle, is a species of thistle. It is native to: the Mediterranean region in southern Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia; East Europe and the Caucasus; and the Indian Subcontinent.

<i>Aegilops triuncialis</i> Species of grass

Aegilops triuncialis, or barbed goatgrass, is a grass species of the family Poaceae. It is a winter annual native to many areas in Eastern and Mediterranean Europe and Western Asia. It is considered an introduced, invasive species in North America, mainly in the Western coast of the United States. In its native lands, the grass thrives in mainly rocky, serpentine soil, but also does well in grasslands and ruderal/disturbed ground as well as oak woodlands.

<i>Brassica tournefortii</i> Species of flowering plant

Brassica tournefortii is a species of plant known by the common names Asian mustard, pale cabbage, African mustard, and Sahara mustard, and is well known as an invasive species, especially in California.

<i>Ligustrum japonicum</i> Species of flowering plant

Ligustrum japonicum, known as wax-leaf privet or Japanese privet is a species of Ligustrum (privet) native to central and southern Japan and Korea. It is widely cultivated in other regions, and is naturalized in California and in the southeastern United States from Texas to Virginia.

<i>Microstegium vimineum</i> Annual grass

Microstegium vimineum, commonly known as Japanese stiltgrass, packing grass, or Nepalese browntop, is an annual grass that is common in a wide variety of habitats and is well adapted to low light levels.

<i>Torilis</i> Genus of flowering plants in the family Apiaceae

Torilis is a genus of plants in the family Apiaceae which are known generally as the hedge parsleys. They are native to Eurasia and North Africa but have been introduced to other continents. T. arvensis is quite widespread in North America but is facing population decline in the UK.

<i>Nymphoides peltata</i> Species of aquatic plant

Nymphoides peltata is perennial, rooted aquatic plant with floating leaves of the family Menyanthaceae.

<i>Taeniatherum</i> Genus of grasses

Taeniatherum is a genus of Eurasian and North African plants in the grass family.

T. japonica may refer to:

Privets are any of a number of shrubs or trees in the genus Ligustrum, many of which are invasive. The genus contains about 50 species native to the Old World and Australasia. Many members of the genus are grown as ornamental plants in parts of the world.

<i>Centaurea stoebe</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae

Centaurea stoebe, the spotted knapweed or panicled knapweed, is a species of Centaurea native to eastern Europe, although it has spread to North America, where it is considered an invasive species. It forms a tumbleweed, helping to increase the species' reach, and the seeds are also enabled by a feathery pappus.

<i>Arctostaphylos glandulosa <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> crassifolia</i> Subspecies of flowering plant

Arctostaphylos glandulosa subsp. crassifolia is a rare perennial shrub, a subspecies of manzanita within the heather family commonly known as the Del Mar manzanita. It is narrowly endemic to the sandstone coastal terraces of San Diego County and northwestern Baja California. It is a burl-forming evergreen shrub typically found growing in a rambling habit on poor soils and hardpan. From December to February, white to pink urn-shaped flowers decorate its foliage, giving way to small fruits. It is listed as endangered and is threatened by land development, invasive species and modifications to the natural fire regime.

References

  1. USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Torilis japonica". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  2. BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Japanese Hedgeparsley". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Baskin, Jerry M.; Baskin, Carol C. (1975). "Ecophysiology of Seed Dormancy and Germination in Torilis Japonica in Relation to Its Life Cycle Strategy". Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club. 102 (2): 67–72. doi:10.2307/2484415. JSTOR   2484415.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Panke, Brendon; Renz, Mark (2008). "Hedge-parsleys (Torilis spp.)". Management of Invasive Plants in Wisconsin.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 DiTommaso, A., et al. “North-East, North-Central, Mid-Atlantic United States and Southern Canada: Japanese Hedgeparsley (Torilis japonica)- A New Invasive Species in the United States.” Invasive Plant Science and Management, Vol. 7, No. 4, 2014, pp. 553-560. Accessed 21 March 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 Renz, Mark J.; Menyon Heflin, R. (2014). "Impact of Clipping Timing on Japanese Hedgeparsley (Torilis japonica) Seed Production and Viability". Invasive Plant Science and Management. 7 (3): 511–516. doi:10.1614/ipsm-d-13-00083.1. S2CID   85701999.
  8. 1 2 3 Roberts, H. A. (1979). "Periodicity of Seedling Emergence and Seed Survival in some Umbelliferae". Applied Ecology. 16 (1): 195–201. doi:10.2307/2402738. JSTOR   2402738.
  9. 1 2 Henderson, A. M., et al. 2010. Glyphosate General Fact Sheet; National Pesticide Information Center, Oregon State University Extension Services. http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/glyphogen.html.
  10. Park, WS; Son, ED; Nam, GW; Kim, SH; Noh, MS; Lee, BG; Jang, IS; Kim, SE; Lee, JJ; Lee, CH; et al. (May 2003). "Torilin from Torilis japonica, as a new inhibitor of testosterone 5 alpha-reductase". Planta Med. 69 (5): 459–61. doi:10.1055/s-2003-39717. PMID   12802730.