Christmas orchids
Calanthe · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (10 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Christmas orchids, scientifically known as Calanthe, is a breathtaking genus celebrated for its vibrant, seasonal blooms. Beyond their ornamental elegance, these plants possess unique botanical properties valued in traditional healing. Understanding their medicinal potential and care requirements offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of natural beauty and therapeutic wellness.
- Family
- Orchidaceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Not available
- Common names
- Christmas Orchids
- Scientific synonyms
- Amblyglottis · Hecabe · 19 more
Names and Synonyms
Common Names
- Christmas orchids
Scientific Names
Accepted name
CalantheSynonyms
- Amblyglottis
- Hecabe
- Tankervillia
- Cyanorkis
- Styloglossum
- Alismorkis
- Calanthidium
- Preptanthe
- Aulostylis
- Cephalantheropsis
- Limatodis
- Centrosia
- Pachyne
- Paraphaius
- Paracalanthe
- Gastorkis
- × Gastrophaius
- Gastrorchis
- × Phaiocalanthe
- Phaius
- Pesomeria
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Styloglossum
- Paracalanthe
- Sylvalismis
- Calanthidium
- Limatodes
- Centrosia
- Centrosis
- Alismorchis
- Preptanthe
- Ghiesbreghtia
- Alismorkis
- Aulostylis
- Zeduba
- Cytheris
- Zoduba
French:
- Alismorchis
Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asparagales. Finally, it is a member of the Orchidaceae family and falls under the genus Calanthe.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Asparagales |
| Family | Orchidaceae |
| Genus | Calanthe |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in Guinea and Liberia. It is also widely distributed throughout Sierra Leone and Nigeria within the same Western region. Furthermore, the species extends into West-Central Tropical Africa. Specifically, its documented range reaches as far as Burundi.
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Congo |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Equatorial Guinea |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Activities
Calanthe has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antidiabetic.
| Activity | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Antibacterial
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Antidiabetic
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Medicinal Uses
Calanthe has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidiabetic, arthritis, chronic coughs, common colds, rheumatism.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| antidiabetic | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arthritis | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chronic coughs | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| common colds | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatism | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| snake-bites | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| toothaches | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ulcers | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |