''Orixa japonica'', commonly called East Asian orixa or Japanese orixa, is a deciduous shrub growing to with an equal spread. Native to Japan and South Korea, it is found on forested, sunny slopes at elevations from 500 to 1300 m.
A recent scientific study found this plant to contain previously unknown alkaloids that may be effective against ''
Plasmodium falciparum
''Plasmodium falciparum'' is a Unicellular organism, unicellular protozoan parasite of humans, and the deadliest species of ''Plasmodium'' that causes malaria in humans. The parasite is transmitted through the bite of a female ''Anopheles'' mosqu ...
'', one of the protozoan species that cause human malaria.
[Cirrus Digital]
Japanese Orixa ''Orixa japonica''
Retrieved 22 Feb. 2013
This plant has an unusual and distinctive leaf pattern. Starting from the oldest leaf, the
pattern of angles of subsequent leaves is 180 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees. The pattern then repeats.
References
External links
Photo Database from University of South Florida
*
Flora of Japan
Flora of Korea
Zanthoxyloideae
Plants described in 1784
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