Bulbophyllum retusiusculum
Bulbophyllum retusiusculum, commonly known as a unique member of the orchid family, is a specialized plant prized for its distinct morphological features. While primarily studied for its botanical rarity, its potential medicinal properties offer intriguing possibilities for ethnobotanical research, highlighting the diverse healing capabilities found within tropical ecosystems.
- Scientific name: Bulbophyllum retusiusculum
- Family: Orchidaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asparagales, it is classified under the family Orchidaceae. Specifically, it is identified by its genus, Bulbophyllum, and its species name, Bulbophyllum retusiusculum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asparagales | WCVP |
| Family | Orchidaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Bulbophyllum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Bulbophyllum retusiusculum, is referred to by several different common names depending on the regional language and specific classification. In Simplified Chinese, it is frequently called 藓叶卷瓣兰 (zh-hans, zh-cn, zh), while in Traditional Chinese, it is identified as 黃萼捲瓣蘭 (zh-tw). Additionally, the name 黄萼卷瓣兰 (zh) is also utilized to describe this species.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 藓叶卷瓣兰 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 黃萼捲瓣蘭 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 藓叶卷瓣兰 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 藓叶卷瓣兰 | Wikidata |
| zh | 黄萼卷瓣兰 | Wikidata |
| zh | 黃萼捲瓣蘭 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical range across several distinct regions of China. It can be found growing within the diverse landscapes of China South-Central. The species is also documented in the tropical environment of Hainan. Furthermore, its distribution extends into the areas of China North-Central and China Southeast. Finally, this medicinal plant is also known to inhabit the high-altitude terrain 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 | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Bulbophyllum retusiusculum, is an epiphytic orchid characterized by its unique morphological adaptations for survival in its natural habitat. While many orchid species rely on specialized structures for nutrient storage, the developmental focus of this specific species involves the formation of thickened underground or base-attached structures that function similarly to tubers to store moisture and energy. These specialized organs allow the plant to endure periods of environmental stress and provide the necessary sustenance for new growth and flowering cycles.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| tubers | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Bulbophyllum retusiusculum has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-propenal, 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propanoic acid, dihydroconiferyl alcohol, dihydroconiferyl dihydro-p-coumarate, dihydroferulic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-propenal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propanoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dihydroconiferyl alcohol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dihydroconiferyl dihydro-p-coumarate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dihydroferulic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methyl 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methyl 3-(4-methoxyphenyl) propionate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| trans-p-coumaric acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |