palm grass
Curculigo capitulata · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (31 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Palm grass, scientifically known as Curculigo capitulata, is a versatile perennial herb valued in traditional medicine. Native to tropical regions, it is renowned for its therapeutic rhizomes, which are utilized to treat various ailments, including digestive issues and fatigue. This plant serves as a vital natural resource in ethnobotanical practices.
- Family
- Hypoxidaceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Leaf · Rhizome
- Common names
- Palm Grass
- Scientific synonyms
- Molineria Recurvata · Molineria Sumatrana · 13 more
Names
Common Names
- palm grass
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Palma crepe (Mexico)
- Palma acordeón
- Palma crepe
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Curculigo capitulataSynonyms
- 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
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.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asparagales | WCVP |
| Family | Hypoxidaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Curculigo | 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.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Réunion | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Curculigo capitulata, possesses distinct morphological characteristics where the primary medicinal properties are concentrated in specific structures. The most significant part used in traditional medicine is the underground rhizome, which is typically thickened and contains the bioactive compounds essential for its therapeutic effects. In addition to the rhizome, the plant features elongated, strap-like leaves that emerge from the base, providing the necessary surface area for photosynthesis to support the plant's growth and development.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | Current issues in molecular biology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhizome | Animal models and experimental medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Curculigo capitulata has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Curculigine, Isocurculigine.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Curculigine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Isocurculigine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Curculigine
- Animal models and experimental medicine
Isocurculigine
- 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.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | Animal models and experimental medicine (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | Current issues in molecular biology (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | Current issues in molecular biology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antithrombotic | Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Thrombolytic | Current issues in molecular biology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Curculigo capitulata has 16 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Postmenopausal Osteoporosis, asthma, colic, cystitis, diarrhea.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Postmenopausal Osteoporosis | Cells (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colic | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cystitis | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal diseases | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gonorrhea | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| heart diseases | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hemorrhoids | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| ethanol extract | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| total extract of Curculigo capitulata | Cells (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |