Chinese cimicifuga

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese cimicifuga
• bugbane
• foetid bugbane

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cimicifuga foetida
• Actaea cimicifuga var. racemosa
• Actaea podocarpa
• Actaea macropoda
• Cimicifuga foetida var. racemosa
• Cimicifuga mairei
• Actaea mairei
• Cimicifuga foetida var. velutina
• Actinospora wallichii
• Cimicifuga foetida var. mairei

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Ranunculales and the family Ranunculaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation falls under the genus Actaea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across specific regions of Middle Europe and vast stretches of Siberia. In Middle Europe, its presence is documented within the borders of Germany. Moving eastward into the Siberian wilderness, the species can be found in the Altai region. It also inhabits the territories of Buryatia and Chita within the Siberian landscape. Finally, its geographical range extends to the Irkutsk region, completing its widespread distribution across these areas.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Actaea cimiciuga is characterized by its presence in diverse high-altitude landscapes, ranging from dense forests and forest edges to open meadows and mountainous terrain, including areas of cut-over forest. This species is specifically adapted to montane environments, occupying an elevational range that begins at 1,700 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2,300 m AMSL. On average, the plant thrives at a mean elevation of approximately 2,000 m AMSL, reflecting its preference for the cool, specialized conditions found within these upper-altitude ecological niches.

Elevational range max:

2300 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1700 m AMSL

Habitat :

cut-over forest, forest, forest edges, meadows, mountains

Life history

The life history of Actaea cimiciuga is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, meaning it lives for several years and undergoes repeated growth cycles. As a long-lived herbaceous species, it establishes a robust root system that allows it to persist through seasonal changes and regrow each spring. Its developmental stages involve an initial establishment period followed by a vegetative growth phase where it develops its characteristic foliage, eventually transitioning into a reproductive phase marked by the production of flowering stalks and seeds. Because it is perennial, its life cycle is not limited to a single season of growth and reproduction, providing it with the capacity to thrive in its natural habitat over an extended duration.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Actaea cimicifuga is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. This terrestrial plant exhibits a variable height, typically ranging from a minimum of 0.4 m to a maximum of 2 m, with an average plant height of approximately 1.5 m. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite, maintaining a structural composition that is entirely non-woody.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

1.5 m

Plant height min:

0.4 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Actaea cimiciugaf is characterized by its sexual processes, as the species possesses bisexual flowers. The flowering period occurs during the summer months, specifically beginning in July and concluding in August.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Actaea cimicifuga has 2 reported plant parts identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome, root.

Rhizome

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Natural product research
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
4. The Journal of organic chemistry
5. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

Root

1. Journal of natural products
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Actaea cimicifuga has 20 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include caffeic acid, ferulic acid, CHLOROFORM, Calycosin, Cimicifugin.

caffeic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Viruses

ferulic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. PloS one

CHLOROFORM

1. Parasitology research

Calycosin

1. PloS one

Cimicifugin

1. The American journal of Chinese medicine

Cimimanol A

1. Fitoterapia

Cimimanol B

1. Fitoterapia

ETHYL ACETATE

1. Parasitology research

Foetidinol-3-o-beta-D-xylopyranoside

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Glucopyranose

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Activities

Actaea cimicifuga has 149 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allelopathic, Allergenic, Analgesic, Anthelmintic.

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelopathic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

AntiLegionella

1. Dr. Duke

Antiadenoviral

1. Dr. Duke

Antiaggregant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiaging

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations

Actaea cimicifuga has 4 reported preparations identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include EtOAc fraction, Rhizoma, aerial part, rhizomes.

Etoac fraction

1. Fitoterapia

Rhizoma

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

Aerial part

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

Rhizomes

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters