Amorphophallus paeoniifolius
Amorphophallus paeoniifolius, commonly known as Elephant Foot Yam, is a versatile medicinal tuber valued in traditional Ayurvedic practices. Rich in dietary fiber and essential nutrients, it serves as a potent remedy for digestive issues, inflammation, and blood sugar regulation, making it a vital plant for holistic wellness and nutrition.
- Scientific name: Amorphophallus paeoniifolius
- Family: Araceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Aliasmaetales and the family Araceae, it is classified under the genus Amorphophallus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Alismatales | WCVP |
| Family | Araceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Amorphophallus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Amorphophallus paeoniifolius, is referred to by various common names depending on the region and language. In Telugu, it is called Teve, while in Indonesian, it is known as Suweg. In Malayalam, it is called ചേന, and in Dutch, it is referred to as olifantenyaam. Furthermore, in Hindi, the plant is commonly known as जिमिकंद.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| to | Teve | Wikidata |
| id | Suweg | Wikidata |
| ml | ചേന | Wikidata |
| nl | olifantenyam | Wikidata |
| hi | जिमीकंद | Wikidata |
| ru | Аморфофаллус пионолистный | Wikidata |
| kn | ಸುವರ್ಣ ಗೆಡ್ಡೆ | Wikidata |
| si | කිඩාරං | Wikidata |
| gu | સુરણ | Wikidata |
| mr | सुरण | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across parts of Asia and the African islands. Within the Western Indian Ocean, it can be found growing in the Comoros, Madagascar, and the Seychelles. Its presence also extends into China, where it is located in the South-Central regions. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit the tropical island of Hainan. These varied locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in distinct island and continental environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Madagascar | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Seychelles | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Amorphophallus paeoniifolius, is a unique medicinal species where different components serve distinct purposes. The most significant part is the large, starchy edible tuber, which is widely consumed as a vegetable in various culinary traditions. Beyond its nutritional value, the underground tuber is the primary source of its medicinal properties, often used in traditional healing practices. Additionally, the plant features large, expansive leaves that are essential for photosynthesis and contribute to the overall growth and development of the tuberous structure.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| tuber | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| edible tuber | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Amorphophallus paeoniifolius has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include betulinic acid, ethyl acetate, flavonoids, glucomannan.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| betulinic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethyl acetate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glucomannan | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Amorphophallus paeoniifolius has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, breast cancer, chronic diseases, wound healing.
- Total uses
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Porphyromonas gingivalis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Prevotella intermedia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chronic diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wound healing | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |