Torilis japonica

Torilis japonica
Torilis japonica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Apiales
Family:	Apiaceae
Genus:	Torilis
Species:	T. japonica
Binomial name
Torilis japonica

Leaf

Fruit

Illustration

General Description

Torilis japonica, the erect hedgeparsley,upright hedge-parsley or Japanese hedge parsley, is a plant species in the genus Torilis. Japanese Hedgeparsley is considered both an annual and biennial plant in the carrot family depending on the biogeographical location. This means Japanese Hedgeparsley can complete its life cycle in either one or two growing seasons depending on habitat. Japanese Hedgeparsley is typically found in areas with disturbed soils, pastures, margins, open woodland, near waste sites, or right-of-way habitats. It can withstand a variety of habitats, thriving in partial and full shaded areas, but also withstanding habitats with full sunlight penetration. 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. This species is considered a threat in several areas that causes problems relating to overall environmental health and stability. Aside from its environmental implications, T. japonica has potential to fight several cancers through a terpene it produces called Torilin, extracted from its fruits.

Taxonomy and Ecology

Despite Japonica meaning “of Japan,” native range of Japanese Hedgeparsley spans from Western Europe, central Asia, northern Japan, and Mediterranean parts of northern Africa. 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.

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

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

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Wikipedia