Anaphalis contorta
Anaphalis contorta, commonly known as the "croton flower," is a resilient medicinal herb found across the Indian subcontinent. Renowned for its therapeutic properties, this plant is traditionally utilized in Ayurveda to treat skin ailments, inflammation, and respiratory issues, offering a natural remedy rooted in deep ethno-botanical wisdom.
- Scientific name: Anaphalis contorta
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Its taxonomic identity is further defined by its placement in the genus Anaphalis.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Anaphalis | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Anaphalis contorta, is identified by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Chinese, it is frequently referred to as 旋叶香青 (zh), 旋叶香青薄叶变种 (zh), or 午香草 (zh). Specifically, in simplified Chinese usage, it is documented as 旋叶香青 (zh-hans) and 旋叶香青 (zh-cn).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 旋叶香青 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 旋叶香青 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 旋叶香青 | Wikidata |
| zh | 旋叶香青薄叶变种 | Wikidata |
| zh | 午香草 | Wikidata |
| zh | 旋叶香青 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. Within China, it is specifically found in the South-Central areas as well as the Tibet region. Moving into the Indian Subcontinent, the species is widely distributed throughout India. It can also be found in the specific ecological zones of Assam. Finally, its range extends across the East Himalaya region of the subcontinent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Pakistan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | West Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Anaphalis contorta, is highly valued for its therapeutic properties, particularly when utilizing its reproductive structures. The fresh flowers are notable for their distinct appearance, often serving as a key indicator for identification in the field. In traditional medicinal practices, the dried flowers are frequently used to prepare infusions or decoctions, as the drying process helps stabilize the active compounds necessary for their healing effects.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flowers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dried flowers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Anaphalis contorta has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |