Taiwan Jewel Orchid

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Taiwan Jewel Orchid

Scientific Names

Accepted name

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 Asparagales and is a member of the Orchidaceae family. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Anoectochilus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several key regions in East and Southeast Asia. Within China, its presence is primarily noted in the Southeast region. Its range extends through Eastern Asia, encompassing both Taiwan and the Nansei-shoto islands. Additionally, the species can be found further south within the Indo-China territory of Vietnam. Together, these locations define the natural habitat where this medicinal plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Anoectochilus formosanus is characterized by its specialized existence as a geophyte, a growth form that allows it to thrive within the shaded, humid microclimates of forest floors. As a perennial herb, it relies on underground storage organs to endure seasonal fluctuations, cycling through periods of vegetative growth and dormancy. Its development begins with the emergence of fleshy, patterned leaves from the soil or leaf litter, where it functions as a shade-loving specialist. The plant's lifecycle is closely tied to the moisture levels of its substrate, utilizing its geophytic nature to maintain stability and nutrient reserves beneath the surface. During its reproductive phase, it produces inflorescences that emerge from the base to facilitate pollination, eventually transitioning back to a state of underground persistence to ensure long-term survival in its specific ecological niche.

Life form :

geophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Anoectochilus formosanus is characterized by its growth form as a herbaceous plant, exhibiting a non-woody structure throughout its vegetative parts. It functions as an independent organism, meaning it does not act as a parasite, and is primarily terrestrial in its habitat rather than being an epiphyte. In terms of its physical habit, the plant is classified as a self-supporting climber, utilizing its morphological adaptations to navigate its environment without requiring a host for nutritional purposes.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Anoectochilus formosanus has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1-O-isopropyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 4-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)benzyl alcohol, Chitinase, Corchoionoside C, Flavonoids.

1-O-isopropyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

4-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)benzyl alcohol

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Chitinase

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

Corchoionoside C

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Flavonoids

1. PeerJ

Gastrodin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Plumbagin

1. Journal of biomedical science

Conditions

Anoectochilus formosanus has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include heart disease, hypertension, lipid metabolism, tumor.

Heart disease

1. Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B

Hypertension

1. Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B

Lipid metabolism

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Tumor

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Preparations

Anoectochilus formosanus has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Chinese herbal drugs, health food, whole plants.

Chinese herbal drugs

1. PeerJ

Health food

1. PeerJ

Whole plants

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin