Asparagus cochinchinensis

Asparagus cochinchinensis, commonly known as Chinese Asparagus Fern, is a highly valued medicinal climber in traditional Asian medicine. Renowned for its nutrient-rich tubers, it is widely utilized to treat respiratory ailments, nourish the blood, and support kidney function, offering significant therapeutic potential in holistic healing practices worldwide.

  • Scientific name: Asparagus cochinchinensis
  • Family: Asparagaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Asparagus cochinchinensis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is further classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Asparagales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asparagaceae and falls under the genus Asparagus.

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

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Asparagus cochinchinensis, is recognized by various common names across different regions and languages. In Chinese, it is referred to as 天门冬 (zh) and 天門冬 (zh-tw), while in Vietnamese, it is called Thiên môn đông (vi). In Japanese, the plant is known as クサスギカズラ (ja), and in Korean, it is identified as 천문동 (ko).
Language Common Name Source
zh 天门冬 Wikidata
vi Thiên môn đông Wikidata
ja クサスギカズラ Wikidata
zh-tw 天門冬 Wikidata
ko 천문동 Wikidata
lzh 天門冬 Wikidata
zh-cn 天门冬 Wikidata
za Denhmwnzdungh Wikidata
az Koxinxin qulançarı Wikidata
zh-hk 天門冬 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across various regions of China. It can be found growing within the landscapes of China South-Central and China North-Central. Additionally, its distribution extends to the coastal and inland areas of China Southeast. The species is also documented in the tropical environment of Hainan. Finally, its presence reaches the high-altitude territories of Tibet.

Region Area Source
China China South-Central WCVP
China Hainan WCVP
China China North-Central WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
China Tibet WCVP
Eastern Asia Japan WCVP
Eastern Asia Korea WCVP
Eastern Asia Nansei-shoto WCVP
Eastern Asia Taiwan WCVP
Indo-China Cambodia WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Asparagus cochinchiensis, is highly valued in traditional medicine primarily for its specialized underground storage organs. The most therapeutically significant parts are the tuberous roots, which are often referred to simply as tubers in various botanical contexts. These fleshy, starch-rich tuber roots function as modified tuber structures that allow the plant to survive dormant periods. While the overall system includes a complex network of roots, it is the swollen, thickened tuber development that provides the concentrated medicinal compounds necessary for its healing properties.
Total parts
9
Scientific sources
10
Plant Part Sources Confidence
roots 2 ★☆☆☆☆
tubers 1 ★☆☆☆☆
tuberous roots 1 ★☆☆☆☆
tuber root 1 ★☆☆☆☆
tuber 1 ★☆☆☆☆
stem 1 ★☆☆☆☆
root 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fruits 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dried roots 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Asparagus cochinchinensis has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,3-bis-di-p-hydroxyphenyl-4-penten-1-one, 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl benzoate, 3'-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-4'-dehydroxynyasol, 4-hydroxy-3-prenylbenzoic acid, aspacochioside C.

Total chemicals
12
Scientific sources
12

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
1,3-bis-di-p-hydroxyphenyl-4-penten-1-one 1 ★☆☆☆☆
2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl benzoate 1 ★☆☆☆☆
3'-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-4'-dehydroxynyasol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
4-hydroxy-3-prenylbenzoic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
aspacochioside C 1 ★☆☆☆☆
aspacochioside D 1 ★☆☆☆☆
asparacoside 1 ★☆☆☆☆
asparenydiol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dihydropinosylvin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
nyasol 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Asparagus cochinchinensis has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiinflammatory, Antiproliferative, Antitumor.

Total activities
3
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antiinflammatory 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiproliferative 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antitumor 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Asparagus cochinchinensis has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Hepatocellular Carcinoma, aging, tumor.

Total uses
3
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Hepatocellular Carcinoma 1 ★☆☆☆☆
aging 1 ★☆☆☆☆
tumor 1 ★☆☆☆☆