Hairy Bergenia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Hairy Bergenia
• Fringed Bergenia
• Hairy Leaf Bergenia
• Rockfoil
• Winter Begonia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Bergenia ligulata var. cliata
• Bergenia thysanodes
• Saxifraga ligulata var. ciliata
• Saxifraga ciliata
• Saxifraga thysanodes
• Megasea ciliata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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 further organized under the order Saxifragales and the family Saxifragaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Bergenia, specifically as the species Bergenia ciliata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found within the vast expanse of the Indian Subcontinent. Its specific natural range includes the rugged and mountainous terrain of Nepal. Additionally, the species is widely distributed throughout the West Himalaya region. These high-altitude habitats provide the ideal environmental conditions necessary for its survival. Consequently, its geographical presence is closely tied to these specific Himalayan ecosystems.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bergenia ciliata is characterized by its occurrence across a broad altitudinal gradient within montane ecosystems. This species is typically found inhabiting diverse mountainous terrains, spanning an elevational range that extends from a minimum of 900 m AMSL to a maximum of 3200 m AMSL. Within these varying altitudes, it thrives in specific microhabitats, often colonizing moist, shaded forest floors, rocky crevices, or the edges of alpine meadows where soil moisture is consistent. Its ability to persist across such a wide vertical distribution suggests a high degree of adaptability to fluctuating temperature regimes and varying levels of solar radiation characteristic of high-altitude environments.

Elevational range max:

3200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

900 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Bergenia ciliata is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it undergoes continuous cycles of vegetative growth and seasonal changes, often developing robust rhizomatous structures that facilitate long-term survival and clonal spread. This lifecycle enables the plant to establish a stable presence in its natural habitat, where it can endure varying environmental conditions over many years. Throughout its life, the plant engages in periodic reproductive phases, transitioning from vegetative expansion to the production of flowers and seeds, thereby ensuring both individual longevity and the long-term maintenance of its population.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bergenia ciliata is characterized by its distinct growth form as a non-woody herb. It functions as an independent organism, exhibiting no parasitic tendencies toward other plants, and maintains a terrestrial life habit rather than acting as an epiphyte. While some related climbing species may exhibit liana, vine, or self-supporting qualities, this plant is fundamentally characterized by its herbaceous structure, lacking any woody stems or climbing mechanisms.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bergenia ciliata is characterized by a distinct seasonal flowering period that facilitates its reproductive cycle. The flowering process typically commences in April and continues through the late spring and early summer months, reaching its conclusion in June. While the specific timing can be subject to environmental variations, the plant generally adheres to this window, ensuring that its floral displays are synchronized with favorable climatic conditions for pollination.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Bergenia ciliata has 4 reported plant parts identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, rhizome, root, stem.

Leaf

1. Functional & integrative genomics
2. Parasitology research
3. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Rhizome

1. Fitoterapia
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
3. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology

Root

1. Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces
2. Functional & integrative genomics
3. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Stem

1. Functional & integrative genomics

Chemicals

Bergenia ciliata has 24 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Gallic acid, bergenin, Phenols, Terpenoids.

Flavonoids

1. Parasitology research
2. Journal of infection and public health
3. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Gallic acid

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. Functional & integrative genomics
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

bergenin

1. Journal of integrative medicine
2. Functional & integrative genomics
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Phenols

1. Parasitology research
2. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Terpenoids

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
2. Toxicology and industrial health

3-O-Galloylepicatechin

1. Computational biology and chemistry

Alcohols

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Cardiac glycoside

1. Toxicology and industrial health

Dimethylsulfoxonium formylmethylide

1. Biology

Epicatechin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Bergenia ciliata has 11 reported activities identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antimalarial, Antiviral.

Antibacterial

1. Functional & integrative genomics
2. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
3. Biology
4. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
5. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology

Antioxidant

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
2. BMC chemistry
3. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
4. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
5. Biology

Anticancer

1. Functional & integrative genomics
2. Biology

Antimalarial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Parasitology research

Antiviral

1. Functional & integrative genomics
2. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Anticholinesterase

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antifungal

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Antimicrobial

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Antipyretic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Free-Radical Scavenging

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Medicinal Uses

Bergenia ciliata has 35 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, cough, diarrhea, fever.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations