Coptis chinensis var. brevisepala
Coptis chinensis var. brevisepala, commonly known as Goldthread, is a perennial herb valued in traditional medicine. Renowned for its high berberine content, this plant possesses significant antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. It is widely utilized in herbal formulations to treat gastrointestinal issues and various inflammatory conditions effectively.
- Scientific name: Coptis chinensis var. brevisepala
- Family: Ranunculaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Ranunculales and falls into the family Ranunculaceae. Specifically, it is identified as a member of the genus Coptis, categorized as the variety brevisepala.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ranunculales | WCVP |
| Family | Ranunculaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Coptis | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Coptis chinensis var. brevisepala, is known by several different common names depending on the linguistic context and specific variety. In Chinese (zh), it is frequently referred to as 黄连 (huánglián) or 鸡爪黄连 (jīzhuǎ huánglián). More specifically, the variety brevisepala is identified as 短萼黄连 (duǎn è huánglián), a name that is used in Simplified Chinese (zh-cn) as 短萼黄连 and in Traditional Chinese (zh-tw) as 短萼黃連.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 短萼黄连 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 短萼黄连 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 短萼黄連 | Wikidata |
| zh | 黄连 | Wikidata |
| zh | 鸡爪黄连 | Wikidata |
| zh | 粪鬼伞 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is characterized by a specific and localized range within the Asian continent. According to botanical records, its primary distribution is found exclusively within China. More specifically, it inhabits the regions categorized as China Southeast. This concentrated geographical footprint suggests that the species thrives under the particular environmental conditions of that area. Consequently, understanding this regional presence is essential for its conservation and study.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Coptis chinensis var. brevisepala, is characterized by several distinct botanical structures that contribute to its medicinal profile. The most significant part utilized is the underground rhizomes, which are often collected and processed for their therapeutic properties. These rhizome structures grow horizontally beneath the soil surface, often accompanied by a network of fibrous roots that help anchor the plant and absorb nutrients. Above the ground, the plant features green leaves that are essential for photosynthesis and overall growth.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rhizomes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhizome | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fibrous roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Coptis chinensis var. brevisepala has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include berberine, columbamine, coptisine, jatrorrhizine, palmatine.
- Total chemicals
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| berberine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| columbamine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coptisine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| jatrorrhizine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| palmatine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |