Jeevak

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Malaxis acuminata
• Microstylis trigonocardia
• Corymborkis acuminata
• Malaxis pierrei
• Microstylis wallichii
• Malaxis siamensis
• Microstylis pierrei var. rotundata
• Malaxis wallichii
• Microstylis pierrei
• Dienia acuminata
• Microstylis siamensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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. It is specifically identified by the genus Crepidium, with its species name being Crepidium acuminatum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range across several key regions in Asia. Within China, its distribution spans from the South-Central provinces to the Southeast. It is also documented as growing in the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Moving into the Indian Subcontinent, the species can be found specifically in Assam. Additionally, its presence extends across the borders into Bangladesh.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Crepidium acuminatum is characterized by its adaptation to specific altitudinal gradients within its native montane habitats. This species thrives across a significant vertical distribution, occupying a diverse range of ecological niches from lower montane zones up to higher elevations. Specifically, it is found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 800 m AMSL to a maximum of 2300 m AMSL. This broad elevational range suggests that the plant is capable of tolerating varying temperature regimes and atmospheric pressures, likely settling in moist, shaded forest understories or leaf litter environments common to these mid-to-high altitude tropical or subtropical zones.

Elevational range max:

2300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

800 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Crepidium acuminatum is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a specialized member of its ecosystem, it functions as a geophyte, storing essential nutrients and energy within underground structures to survive unfavorable periods. This survival strategy is further supported by its classification as a cryptophyte, meaning its regenerative buds are protected below the soil surface, ensuring its continued existence and ability to re-emerge during optimal environmental conditions.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Crepidium acuminatum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This plant is a self-supporting species, lacking any climbing or vining tendencies, and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. In terms of its ecological positioning, it is a terrestrial plant rather than an epiphyte or an aquatic species, though its habitat can range between terrestrial and semiaquatic environments. The plant maintains a relatively low stature, with a height that ranges from 0 m to a maximum of 0.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Crepidium acuminatum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Frontiers in plant science

Chemicals

Crepidium acuminatum has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Glycosides, Sterols, Sugars, eugenol.

Glycosides

1. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology

Sterols

1. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology

Sugars

1. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology

eugenol

1. Frontiers in plant science

Preparations

Crepidium acuminatum has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 'Ashtavarga', 'Chyavanprash'.

'ashtavarga'

1. Physiology and molecular biology of plants : an international journal of functional plant biology

'chyavanprash'

1. Physiology and molecular biology of plants : an international journal of functional plant biology