Anemarrhena asphodeloides

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Terauchia anemarrhenifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asparagales, it is classified under the family Asparagaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Anemarrhena as Anemarrhena asphodeloides.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad and diverse presence across various regions of China. Its natural range begins in the northern reaches, specifically within the provinces of Inner Mongolia and Manchuria. Moving toward the center of the country, it is also documented throughout China North-Central. The species extends its reach into the southern territories, inhabiting the China South-Central region. Finally, its distribution concludes in the lush landscapes of China Southeast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Anemarrhena asphodeloides is characterized by specific altitudinal preferences within its natural habitat. This species is predominantly found at an elevationally defined range, where it reaches a maximum altitude of 1450 m AMSL. The mean elevation for its occurrence aligns closely with this peak, settling at approximately 1450 m AMSL, suggesting a highly specialized niche within this specific vertical stratum of its ecosystem. This narrow altitudinal distribution indicates that the plant is likely adapted to the precise climatic, thermal, and moisture conditions found at these elevations.

Elevational range max:

1450 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Anemarrhena asphodeloides is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its regenerative buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or organic matter during unfavorable periods. This growth habit is consistent across its life form classifications, maintaining its structural stability through its underground rhizomatous system which supports its long-term survival in its natural habitat.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Anemarrhena asphodeloides is characterized by a growth form classified as a herb, specifically presenting as a non-woody, herbaceous plant. It functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite and is a terrestrial species, lacking epiphytic or strictly aquatic requirements, though it can exist in semiaquatic habitats. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is self-supporting, meaning it does not exhibit climbing tendencies such as those found in lianas or vines, instead maintaining a stable, upright, or low-growing stature without the need for external support.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Anemarrhena asphodeloides is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Morphologically, the plant exhibits significant variation in its foliar dimensions, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 15 cm to a maximum of 60 cm, maintaining a mean length of 37.5 cm. The width of these leaves is relatively narrow, fluctuating between a minimum of 0.15 cm and a maximum of 1.1 cm. In terms of defensive physiological structures, the foliage is characterized by the presence of leaf spines, although it notably lacks the development of leaf thorns.

Leaf length max:

60 cm

Leaf length mean:

37.5 cm

Leaf length min:

15 cm

Leaf spines :

yes

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

1.1 cm

Leaf width min:

0.15 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Anemarrhena asphodeloides is characterized by a sexual reproductive system that can manifest as dioecious, monoecious, or bisexual. The plant produces inflorescences that vary in size, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 0.5 m. Following pollination, the development of the fruit is marked by specific dimensional variations; the fruit length typically ranges from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 1.3 cm, with an observed mean length of 1.05 cm. Similarly, the fruit width shows a distribution between 0.5 cm and 0.6 cm, maintaining a mean width of 0.55 cm.

Fruit length max:

1.3 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.05 cm

Fruit length min:

0.8 cm

Fruit width max:

0.6 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.55 cm

Fruit width min:

0.5 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.5 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.2 m

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Anemarrhena asphodeloides has 2 reported plant parts identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome, root.

Rhizome

1. Journal of natural products
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
4. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin
5. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Root

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Chemicals

Anemarrhena asphodeloides has 82 reported phytochemicals identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Mangiferin, Neomangiferin, Isomangiferin, Nyasol, Timosaponin B II.

Mangiferin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
3. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
4. Biomedical chromatography : BMC
5. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Neomangiferin

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
2. Biomedical chromatography : BMC
3. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
4. Journal of AOAC International
5. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Isomangiferin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
3. Journal of AOAC International
4. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
5. Natural product communications

Nyasol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of AOAC International
3. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
4. Planta medica
5. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Timosaponin B II

1. Dr. Duke
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
3. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
4. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

timosaponin AIII

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC
2. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Planta medica

Anemarrhenasaponin I

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biomedical chromatography : BMC
3. Planta medica

Saponins

1. Dr. Duke
2. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
3. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Timosaponin A-III

1. Dr. Duke
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
3. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Timosaponin B-

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
3. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Activities

Anemarrhena asphodeloides has 222 reported activities identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiallergic, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Antiosteoporotic, Antiviral.

Antiallergic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimicrobial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiosteoporotic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diuretic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Estrogenic

1. Environmental toxicology and pharmacology
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Hypoglycemic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Anemarrhena asphodeloides has 41 reported medicinal uses identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, cancer, candidiasis, hypoglycemic, platelet aggregation.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations