Arundina graminifolia

Bamboo orchid

Arundina graminifolia, commonly known as the Grass-leaf Arundina, is a striking terrestrial orchid native to Southeast Asia. Beyond its ornamental beauty, this plant holds significant ethnobotanical value. Historically used in traditional medicine, its various parts are studied for potential therapeutic properties, offering a fascinating intersection of botany and pharmacology.

  • Scientific name: Arundina graminifolia
  • Family: Orchidaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Asparagales and is a member of the orchid family, Orchidaceae. Specifically, it is categorized under the genus Arundina.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Asparagales WCVP
Family Orchidaceae WCVP
Genus Arundina WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Arundina graminifolia, is referred to by various common names across different languages and regions. In Lithuanian, it is called Siauralapė arundina, while in Thai, it is known as ยี่โถปีนัง. In Chinese, it is identified as 竹叶兰, and the Traditional Chinese version used in Taiwan is 葦草蘭. Additionally, in Bengali, the plant is commonly known as নল-রাস্না.
Language Common Name Source
lt Siauralapė arundina Wikidata
th ยี่โถปีนัง Wikidata
zh 竹叶兰 Wikidata
bn নল-রাস্না Wikidata
zh-tw 葦草蘭 Wikidata
zh-cn 竹叶兰 Wikidata
zh-hans 竹叶兰 Wikidata
en Bamboo orchid Wikidata
en Bird Orchid Wikidata
bn বাঁশ অর্কিড Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across different regions of Asia and the Indian Ocean. In the Western Indian Ocean, it can be found growing in Mauritius and Réunion. Its presence in China is also well-documented across multiple provinces. Specifically, it inhabits the South-Central and Southeast regions of China. Additionally, the species is native to the tropical island of Hainan.

Region Area Source
Western Indian Ocean Mauritius WCVP
Western Indian Ocean Réunion WCVP
China China South-Central WCVP
China Hainan WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
China Tibet WCVP
Eastern Asia Nansei-shoto WCVP
Eastern Asia Taiwan WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Assam WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Bangladesh WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Arundina graminifolia, possesses a specialized underground structure consisting of a fleshy rhizome, sometimes referred to as a rhizoma, which serves as a storage organ for nutrients. From this base, the plant develops a robust root system and thick, starchy tuber-like structures that help it survive in its natural habitat. While the vegetative parts are primarily focused on storage and stability, the reproductive cycle involves the development of a seed pod known as a silique, which facilitates the dispersal of the next generation.
Total parts
7
Scientific sources
7
Plant Part Sources Confidence
tuber 1 ★☆☆☆☆
silique 1 ★☆☆☆☆
root 1 ★☆☆☆☆
rhizome 1 ★☆☆☆☆
rhizoma 1 ★☆☆☆☆
mature flower 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaf 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Arundina graminifolia has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include bibenzyl, flavone, flavonoids, glycosides, ketones.

Total chemicals
7
Scientific sources
7

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
bibenzyl 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
glycosides 1 ★☆☆☆☆
ketones 1 ★☆☆☆☆
phenanthrenes 1 ★☆☆☆☆
phenylpropanoid 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Arundina graminifolia has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antidote.

Total activities
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidote 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Arundina graminifolia has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include bronchitis, food poisoning, pneumonia, rheumatism, snake bites.

Total uses
6
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
bronchitis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
food poisoning 1 ★☆☆☆☆
pneumonia 1 ★☆☆☆☆
rheumatism 1 ★☆☆☆☆
snake bites 1 ★☆☆☆☆
tuberculosis 1 ★☆☆☆☆