whipcord cobra lily

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Arum tortuosum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Arisaema tortuosum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Alismatales. Finally, it is a member of the family Araceae and the genus Arisaema.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. Within China, it is primarily found in the South-Central areas as well as in Tibet. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it inhabits the state of Assam. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed throughout the East Himalaya region. Ultimately, the plant is commonly recorded across various parts of India.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ariosa tortuosum is defined by its broad adaptability across diverse altitudinal gradients, allowing it to inhabit a vast spectrum of mountain environments. This species thrives within an extensive elevational range, spanning from low-lying areas at 100 m AMSL to high-altitude montane habitats reaching up to 3900 m AMSL. Such a wide vertical distribution suggests a high degree of ecological plasticity, enabling the plant to persist in varied microclimates, from warmer, humid subtropical zones to the cooler, more temperate conditions found in higher elevations. This ability to colonize different altitudes implies that the plant can navigate varying levels of solar radiation, temperature fluctuations, and moisture availability, making it a resilient component of its respective forest or scrubland ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

3900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Arisaema tortuosum is characterized by its specialized survival strategies as a perennial herb, specifically functioning as a geophyte and a cryptophyte. As a geophyte, the plant relies on underground storage organs, such as a fleshy corm or tuber, to endure unfavorable environmental conditions and seasonal dormancy. This underground presence allows it to bypass periods of drought or extreme temperatures by sequestering nutrients and moisture below the soil surface. Simultaneously, its classification as a cryptophyte indicates that its perennating buds are located entirely below the ground level, protected from surface disturbances and climatic fluctuations. This life cycle involves a period of active vegetative growth during favorable seasons, followed by a period of dormancy where the above-ground structures decay, leaving the plant to survive solely through its protected subterranean structures until the next growing cycle begins.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Arisaema tortuosum is characterized by its classification as a non-woody herb, exhibiting a growth form that is entirely herbaceous. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite, relying instead on its own metabolic processes for survival. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its ecological niche, growing directly in the soil rather than as an epiphyte. While it possesses certain structural tendencies, it is described as a self-supporting climber, meaning it does not rely on external structures for its primary upright posture but can exhibit climbing tendencies through its growth habit.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Arisaema tortuosum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Planta medica

Chemicals

Arisaema tortuosum has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, luteolin, Lectin, RUTIN, apigenin.

Flavonoids

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. Planta medica

luteolin

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. Planta medica

Lectin

1. Pharmaceutical biology

RUTIN

1. Pharmaceutical biology

apigenin

1. Planta medica

quercetin

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Activities

Arisaema tortuosum has 6 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antiproliferative.

Antioxidant

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Antibacterial

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Antifungal

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Antimicrobial

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Antiproliferative

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Phytotoxic

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Medicinal Uses

Arisaema tortuosum has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Aspergillus niger, Bacillus cereus, HSV-1, HSV-2, Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations