Ox Knee

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Ox Knee

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Achyranthes bidentata var. hachijoensis
• Achyranthes bidentata var. tomentosa
• Achyranthes japonica
• Achyranthes longifolia
• Achyranthes fauriei var. japonica
• Centrostachys fruticosa
• Achyranthes aspera var. fruticosa
• Achyranthes bidentata var. japonica
• Achyranthes bidentata var. longifolia
• Achyranthes bidentata f. rubra
• Achyranthes bidentata var. villosa
• Achyranthes chinensis
• Achyranthes fauriei
• Achyranthes fauriei f. rotundifolia
• Achyranthes ogatai
• Centrostachys moquinii
• Achyranthes fauriei var. tomentosa
• Centrostachys bidentata
• Achyranthes longifolia f. rubra
• Achyranthes hispida
• Achyranthes japonica var. hachijoensis
• Achyranthes japonica var. katsuudakemontana
• Achyranthes mollicula
• Achyranthes rotundifolia
• Achyranthes ryukyuensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales, it is positioned in the family Amaranthaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Achyranthes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution that spans across several distinct global regions. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found specifically within Nigeria. Its presence extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, covering both Cameroon and the Gulf of Guinea Islands. Moving toward the southern part of the continent, the species is also located in South Tropical Africa, specifically in Angola. Remarkably, its range reaches as far as the Russian Far East in the Primorye region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Achyranthis bidentata is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to inhabit diverse landscapes ranging from low-lying areas at 80 m AMSL to high-altitude environments reaching up to 3050 m AMSL. While it occupies various niches within this significant elevational range, its ecological presence is notable for being introduced from Japan, suggesting its ability to adapt to new environmental conditions outside its native territory.

Elevational range max:

3050 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

80 m AMSL

Habitat :

Introduced from Japan

Life history

The life history of Achyranthes bidentata is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural development and survival strategy, it functions as a therophyte, typically completing its seasonal growth cycle by relying on seeds to endure unfavorable environmental conditions.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Achyranthhes bidentata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It functions as a self-supporting, independent plant, meaning it is neither a climber nor a parasite, nor does it exist as an epiphyte, as it maintains a terrestrial habit. The plant displays an erect shoot orientation and typically reaches a plant height ranging from a minimum of approximately 0.61 m to a maximum of 1.5 m, with an average height of 0.8 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.8 m

Plant height min:

0.609607413 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Achyranthes bidentata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and metabolic efficiency under varying environmental conditions. Unlike plants utilizing C4 or CAM pathways, this species relies on the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide via the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form, thus relying instead on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds from the soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Achyranthhes bidentata is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and distinct seed morphology. The flowering period for this species is quite extensive, typically commencing in May and continuing through until October, though the exact timing can remain variable depending on environmental conditions. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds with a very fine and consistent mass. The seed mass undergoes slight variations, with a recorded minimum of 0.00203 g, a mean weight of 0.00227 g, and a maximum weight reaching 0.00251 g.

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Oct

Seed mass max:

0.00251 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00227 g

Seed mass min:

0.00203 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Achyranthes bidentata has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf.

Root

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Leaf

1. Natural product research

Chemicals

Achyranthes bidentata has 30 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Inokosterone, 20-HYDROXYECDYSONE, Ecdysterone, Saponins, ARSENIC.

Inokosterone

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of animal science and technology
3. Frontiers in pharmacology

20-HYDROXYECDYSONE

1. Journal of animal science and technology
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

Ecdysterone

1. Dr. Duke
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

Saponins

1. Vaccine
2. Journal of animal science and technology

ARSENIC

1. Dr. Duke

Anthraquinones

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

COPPER

1. Dr. Duke

Chlormequat

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Activities

Achyranthes bidentata has 246 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, ACE-Inhibitor, Abortifacient, Anabolic, Analeptic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of animal science and technology

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Anabolic

1. Dr. Duke

Analeptic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Achyranthes bidentata has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include arthritis, hypertension, menstruation, nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations