palm grass

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• palm grass

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Molineria recurvata
• Molineria sumatrana
• Curculigo fuziwarae
• Curculigo glabra
• Molineria hortensis
• Molineria plicata
• Leucojum capitulatum
• Veratrum mairei
• Tupistra esquirolii
• Molineria capitulata
• Curculigo strobiliformis
• Curculigo sumatrana
• Curculigo recurvata
• Molineria sulcata
• Curculigo recurvata var. variegatea

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further organized into the order Asparagales and the family Hypoxidaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Curculigo, specifically as the species Curculigo capitulata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across both the Western Indian Ocean and various regions of China. Within the Western Indian Ocean, it can be found growing in Mauritius and Réunion. Its presence in China is extensive, spanning across the South-Central territories. Additionally, the species is documented in the Hainan province. Finally, it is also widely distributed throughout China Southeast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Curculigo capitulata is characterized by its broad adaptability across diverse altitudinal gradients, allowing it to inhabit a wide range of vertical landscapes. This species thrives in environments spanning from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 2480 m AMSL. Such a vast elevational range suggests that the plant is capable of tolerating various microclimates, ranging from the warm, humid conditions of lowland tropical forests to the cooler, more temperate conditions found in higher montane regions. Its distribution across these levels indicates a versatile physiological capacity to manage fluctuations in temperature, atmospheric pressure, and moisture availability, enabling it to establish itself in a variety of ecological niches within its natural habitat.

Elevational range max:

2480 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Curculigo capitulata is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. It functions as a geophyte, a specialized life form where the essential regenerative organs are located underground, which also classifies it as a cryptophyte. This strategy ensures survival through unfavorable conditions by protecting its vital structures beneath the soil surface. Additionally, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, retaining its foliage throughout the year rather than undergoing seasonal shedding.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Curculigo capitulata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This plant is a self-supporting organism, lacking the climbing habits of lianas or vines, and it functions as an independent species without parasitic tendencies. It is a terrestrial plant, neither aquatic nor epiphytic, growing directly in soil environments. In terms of stature, it maintains a relatively modest size, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 1 meter.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Curculigo capitulata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production through the standard Calvin cycle. As a non-nitrogen-fixing organism, it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationships or biological mechanisms required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, instead relying on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system to satisfy its nutritional requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Curculigo capitulata is characterized by the production of specialized seeds that exhibit a highly consistent physical profile. The seed mass is remarkably uniform, with a recorded mean value of 0.0017 g. This consistency is further evidenced by the fact that both the maximum and minimum measured seed masses are identical at 0.0017 g, indicating a very narrow range of variation in the weight of the reproductive units produced by the plant.

Seed mass mean:

0.0017 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Curculigo capitulata has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, rhizome.

Leaf

1. Current issues in molecular biology

Rhizome

1. Animal models and experimental medicine

Chemicals

Curculigo capitulata has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Curculigine, Isocurculigine.

Curculigine

1. Animal models and experimental medicine

Isocurculigine

1. Animal models and experimental medicine

Activities

Curculigo capitulata has 5 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Cytotoxic, Antioxidant, Antithrombotic, Thrombolytic.

Analgesic

1. Animal models and experimental medicine
2. Current issues in molecular biology

Cytotoxic

1. Current issues in molecular biology
2. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Current issues in molecular biology

Antithrombotic

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Thrombolytic

1. Current issues in molecular biology

Conditions

Curculigo capitulata has 16 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Postmenopausal Osteoporosis, asthma, colic, cystitis, diarrhea.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis

1. Cells

Asthma

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Colic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cystitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diarrhea

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gastrointestinal diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gonorrhea

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Heart diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hemorrhoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hypertension

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Curculigo capitulata has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanol extract, total extract of Curculigo capitulata.

Ethanol extract

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Total extract of curculigo capitulata

1. Cells