Curculigo orchioides

Curculigo orchioides, commonly known as Black Curculigo, is a perennial herb valued in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Native to tropical Asia, its underground rhizomes possess potent bioactive properties. Frequently utilized to enhance vitality, support reproductive health, and alleviate inflammation, this medicinal plant remains a significant subject in ethnopharmacological research.

  • Scientific name: Curculigo orchioides
  • Family: Hypoxidaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asparagales, it is a member of the family Hypoxidaceae. It is further identified by its genus, Curculigo, and its specific species name, orchioides.

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

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Curculigo orchioides, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In Malayalam, it is called നിലപ്പന, while in Chinese, it is referred to as 仙茅. In Telugu, the plant is known as నేలతాడి, and in Vietnamese, it is commonly called Sâm cau. Additionally, in Persian, it is identified as کرکلیگو ارچیویدس.
Language Common Name Source
ml നിലപ്പന Wikidata
zh 仙茅 Wikidata
te నేలతాడి Wikidata
vi Sâm cau Wikidata
fa کرکلیگو ارچیویدس Wikidata
kn ಕರ್ಕ್ಯೂಲಿಗೊ Wikidata
zh-tw 仙茅 Wikidata
ta குறத்தி நிலப்பனை Wikidata
zh-cn 仙茅 Wikidata
as তালমূলি Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated primarily across several regions of East Asia. Within China, its presence is noted in both the South-Central and Southeast territories. The species also extends its range into Japan, specifically including the Nansei-shoto islands. Furthermore, its habitat encompasses the island of Taiwan. Collectively, these locations define the natural range of Curculigo orchioides across the eastern part of the continent.

Region Area Source
China China South-Central WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
Eastern Asia Japan WCVP
Eastern Asia Nansei-shoto WCVP
Eastern Asia Taiwan WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Assam WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Bangladesh WCVP
Indian Subcontinent East Himalaya WCVP
Indian Subcontinent India WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Nepal WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Curculigo orchioides, possesses various morphological features that are utilized for its medicinal properties. The most significant part used in traditional medicine is the rhizome, which is often processed to extract bioactive compounds. In addition to the rhizome, the root system serves as a vital structural component of the plant's underground anatomy. Furthermore, the leaf structure is a distinguishing characteristic of its vegetative growth, contributing to the overall physiological health of the specimen.
Total parts
3
Scientific sources
5
Plant Part Sources Confidence
rhizome 3 ★★☆☆☆
root 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Leaf 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Curculigo orchioides has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include curculigoside, saponins, Protocatechuic acid, flavonoids, orcinol glucoside.

Total chemicals
8
Scientific sources
13

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
curculigoside 4 ★★☆☆☆
saponins 3 ★★☆☆☆
Protocatechuic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
orcinol glucoside 1 ★☆☆☆☆
steroids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
tannins 1 ★☆☆☆☆
vitamin C 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Curculigo orchioides has 13 reported activities identified across 25 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Aphrodisiac, Antidepressant, Immunostimulant.

Total activities
13
Scientific sources
25

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 5 ★★★☆☆
Hepatoprotective 5 ★★★☆☆
Aphrodisiac 3 ★★☆☆☆
Antidepressant 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Immunostimulant 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Adaptogen 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antifatigue 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Curculigo orchioides has 25 reported medicinal uses identified across 32 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antioxidant, antidepressant, aphrodisiac, inflammation, jaundice.

Total uses
25
Scientific sources
32

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
antioxidant 3 ★★☆☆☆
antidepressant 2 ★☆☆☆☆
aphrodisiac 2 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation 2 ★☆☆☆☆
jaundice 2 ★☆☆☆☆
osteoporosis 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Alzheimer's disease 1 ★☆☆☆☆
HEP-G2 cells 1 ★☆☆☆☆
antidiabetic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
asthma 1 ★☆☆☆☆