Roxburgh's Jewel Orchid

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Chrysobaphus roxburghii
• Anoectochilus latomaculatus
• Anoectochilus setaceus var. cordatus
• Anoectochilus lobbianus
• Anoectochilus roxburghii var. lobbianus
• Anoectochilus xanthophyllus
• Anoectochilus setaceus var. grandiflorus
• Anoectochilus yungianus
• Anoectochilus regalis var. grandiflorus
• Anoectochilus regalis var. cordatus
• Zeuxine roxburghii
• Anoectochilus setaceus var. intermedius

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is classified under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Asparagales, falling into the family Orchidaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Anoectochilus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across various regions of East and South Asia. Within China, its distribution spans from the South-Central provinces to the tropical island of Hainan. It is also documented occurring throughout the China Southeast region and the high-altitude areas of Tibet. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, the species can be found specifically in the state of Assam. Together, these locations highlight a broad ecological range for Anoectochilus roxburgii.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Anoectochilus roxburghii is characterized by a highly specific altitudinal niche, as it is documented to inhabit an elevational range centered precisely at 1350 m AMSL. This specialized vertical distribution suggests that the species is adapted to the specific microclimates, temperature regimes, and moisture levels found at this particular height above mean sea level. Such a narrow elevational profile indicates that the plant likely thrives within a distinct ecological belt, where the environmental variables remain stable enough to support its physiological requirements.

Elevational range max:

1350 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Anoectochilus roxburghii is characterized by its specialized survival strategies, functioning primarily as a cryptophyte, which allows it to endure unfavorable environmental conditions by protecting its vital organs underground or at the soil surface. More specifically, it exhibits the characteristics of a geophyte, relying on underground storage organs such as rhizomes to persist through periods of dormancy or seasonal stress. This life form enables the plant to emerge and flourish when environmental conditions, such as moisture and light levels in the forest understory, become optimal, facilitating its perennial growth cycle.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Morphology

Morphologically, Anoectochilus roxburgii is characterized by its growth habit as a self-supporting climber, utilizing its structure to navigate its environment without being an obligatory or facultative parasite. The plant functions as an independent organism, meaning it does not exhibit parasitic behavior toward other species. Furthermore, rather than being an obligate or facultative epiphyte, it maintains a terrestrial existence, establishing its root system and growth within the soil of its natural habitat.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Anoectochilus roxburghii has 3 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf, stem.

Root

1. Natural product research
2. ACS omega
3. Chinese herbal medicines

Leaf

1. Chinese herbal medicines

Stem

1. Chinese herbal medicines

Chemicals

Anoectochilus roxburghii has 62 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, quercetin, Kinsenoside, Daucosterol, Isoquercitrin.

Flavonoids

1. International journal of molecular sciences
2. Scientific reports
3. Chinese herbal medicines
4. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB
5. PeerJ

quercetin

1. International journal of molecular sciences
2. PeerJ
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
5. Frontiers in pharmacology

Kinsenoside

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. ACS omega
3. Frontiers in pharmacology
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Fitoterapia

Daucosterol

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Isoquercitrin

1. PeerJ
2. Phytochemistry

Isorhamnetin

1. International journal of molecular sciences
2. PeerJ

LIGNIN

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

RUTIN

1. International journal of molecular sciences
2. PeerJ

(3E,5E,10E)-8-hydroxytrideca-3,5,10,12-tetraen-2-one

1. Natural product research

(R)-6-hydroxymellein

1. Natural product research

Activities

Anoectochilus roxburghii has 10 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antidiabetic, Antilipemic, Antineoplastic, Antiviral.

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antilipemic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antineoplastic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiviral

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Apoptotic

1. Medical oncology (Northwood, London, England)

Cytotoxic

1. Medical oncology (Northwood, London, England)

Hepatoprotective

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hypoglycemic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Sedative

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Anoectochilus roxburghii has 18 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include hyperuricemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's disease, Ferroptosis, Fusarium infections.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations