Cremastra appendiculata

Cremastra appendiculata, commonly known as the "appendiculate cremastra," is a distinctive climbing orchid native to East Asian forests. Renowned in traditional medicine, it is prized for its bioactive compounds. Often used to treat respiratory ailments and inflammation, this plant offers significant therapeutic potential within herbal pharmacology and botanical studies.

  • Scientific name: Cremastra appendiculata
  • 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. Finally, it is identified by the genus Cremastra, specifically as the species Cremastra appendiculata.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Asparagales WCVP
Family Orchidaceae WCVP
Genus Cremastra WCVP

Common Names

This plant is known by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Chinese, it is frequently referred to as 杜鹃兰 or 多变杜鹃兰, while in Taiwan, the name 馬鞭蘭 is used, and it is specifically called 杜鹃兰 in mainland China. In Japanese, the plant is recognized by the name サイハイラン.
Language Common Name Source
zh 杜鹃兰 Wikidata
ja サイハイラン Wikidata
zh-tw 馬鞭蘭 Wikidata
zh-cn 杜鹃兰 Wikidata
zh 多变杜鹃兰 Wikidata
zh 翅柱杜鹃兰 Wikidata
zh 馬鞭蘭 Wikidata
zh 条叶垂头菊 Wikidata
zh 土贝母 Wikidata
zh 山慈姑 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range spanning several distinct regions across East Asia. In the Russian Far East, its presence is noted specifically within the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin. Moving into China, the species is widely distributed across multiple provinces and territories. Its reach extends through China South-Central and China North-Central regions. Furthermore, the plant is also found within the diverse landscapes of China Southeast.

Region Area Source
Russian Far East Kuril Is. WCVP
Russian Far East Sakhalin WCVP
China China South-Central WCVP
China China North-Central WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
China Tibet WCVP
Eastern Asia Japan WCVP
Eastern Asia Korea WCVP
Eastern Asia Taiwan WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Assam WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Cremastra appendiculata, possesses several distinct morphological structures that are utilized in traditional practices. The most significant medicinal components are the underground storage organs, specifically the large, fleshy tuber and various smaller tubers that develop from the rhizome system. These structures are supported by a network of fibrous roots that anchor the plant into the forest floor. Furthermore, the reproductive cycle involves the production of seeds, which are protected by specialized seed coats designed to ensure successful germination in its natural habitat.
Total parts
13
Scientific sources
14
Plant Part Sources Confidence
tuber 2 ★☆☆☆☆
tubers 1 ★☆☆☆☆
seeds 1 ★☆☆☆☆
seed coats 1 ★☆☆☆☆
roots 1 ★☆☆☆☆
pseudobulbs 1 ★☆☆☆☆
pseudobulb 1 ★☆☆☆☆
protocorms 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆
embryos 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Cremastra appendiculata has 44 reported phytochemicals identified across 48 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include daucosterol, flavanthrinin, militarine, protocatechuic acid, 2-furoic acid.

Total chemicals
44
Scientific sources
48

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
daucosterol 2 ★☆☆☆☆
flavanthrinin 2 ★☆☆☆☆
militarine 2 ★☆☆☆☆
protocatechuic acid 2 ★☆☆☆☆
2-furoic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
2-hydroxy-4,7-dimethoxyphenanthrene 1 ★☆☆☆☆
3,4-dihydroxyphenylethyl alcohol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
3-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
7-hydroxy-2,4-dimethoxy phenanthrene 1 ★☆☆☆☆
CAP 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Cremastra appendiculata has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial.

Total activities
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Cremastra appendiculata has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include abscess, breast cancer, carbuncle, colon cancer, fistula.

Total uses
11
Scientific sources
11

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
abscess 1 ★☆☆☆☆
breast cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
carbuncle 1 ★☆☆☆☆
colon cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fistula 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gastric cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gout 1 ★☆☆☆☆
liver cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
lung cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
scrofula 1 ★☆☆☆☆