Bletilla striata
Chinese ground orchid
Bletilla striata, commonly known as the fringed bletilla or Chinese orchid, is a perennial herb highly valued in traditional medicine. Renowned for its medicinal tubers, it is extensively used to promote wound healing, reduce inflammation, and treat various respiratory ailments, serving as a vital component in many herbal remedies.
- Scientific name: Bletilla striata
- Family: Orchidaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Bletilla striata, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asparagales. Finally, it is a member of the Orchidaceae family and is situated within the genus Bletilla.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asparagales | WCVP |
| Family | Orchidaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Bletilla | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Bletilla striata, is widely recognized across various Chinese-speaking regions by the common name 白芨, which is used consistently in simplified and traditional scripts. Specifically, in mainland China (zh-cn), Singapore (zh-sg), and Hong Kong (zh-hk), it is known as 白芨, while in Taiwan (zh-tw) and for general traditional Chinese usage (zh-hant), the name remains 白芨.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 白芨 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 白芨 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 白芨 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 白芨 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 白芨 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 白芨 | Wikidata |
| ja | シラン | Wikidata |
| pl | Bletilla pasiasta | Wikidata |
| vi | Bạch cập | Wikidata |
| fr | Orchidée jacinthe | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions of East Asia. In China, its presence is documented throughout the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast provinces. Its range extends beyond the mainland into the island nation of Japan. Additionally, the species can be found growing within the Korean Peninsula. Together, these locations highlight a widespread habitat within the eastern temperate zones.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Japan | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Korea | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Nansei-shoto | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Southeastern U.S.A. | Maryland | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Bletilla striata, possesses a specialized underground anatomy essential for its survival and medicinal value. Its structure is characterized by thick, fleshy pseudobulbs that serve as primary storage organs, which are interconnected through a network of creeping rhizomes. These rhizomes facilitate vegetative spread, while the tubers and various fleshy roots allow the plant to store vital nutrients and moisture during dormant periods. Chemically, these parts are highly significant because they are rich in polysaccharide compounds, which are the key bioactive constituents utilized in traditional medicine for their healing properties.- Total parts
- 24
- Scientific sources
- 44
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| tubers | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| roots | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| rhizomes | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| pseudobulbs | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| polysaccharide | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| pseudobulb | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fibrous roots | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dried tuber | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tubes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Bletilla striata has 64 reported phytochemicals identified across 80 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include polysaccharide, glucose, ABA, glucomannan, mannose.
- Total chemicals
- 64
- Scientific sources
- 80
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| polysaccharide | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| glucose | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| ABA | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glucomannan | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| mannose | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenanthrenes | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| starch | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2b | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3-Hydroxycinnamic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3a | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Bletilla striata has 8 reported activities identified across 23 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Neuroprotective, Antifibrotic, Antimicrobial.
- Total activities
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 23
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antifibrotic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hemostatic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Bletilla striata has 46 reported medicinal uses identified across 59 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include wound healing, inflammation, ulcers, antioxidant, burns.
- Total uses
- 46
- Scientific sources
- 59
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| wound healing | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| ulcers | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| burns | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hematemesis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hemoptysis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| peptic ulcer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tuberculosis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |