Curculigo
Curculigo, commonly known as black curculigo or creeping devil, is a genus of medicinal herbs native to tropical regions. Renowned in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, its rhizomes possess potent bioactive compounds. These properties offer therapeutic benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and adaptogenic effects, making it a valuable subject in ethnopharmacology.
- Scientific name: Curculigo
- Family: Hypoxidaceae
- Native range: Africa
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 Hypoxidaceae. Its specific taxonomic designation is the genus Curculigo.
| 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, belonging to the genus Curculigo, is known by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In Simplified Chinese (zh-hans), Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), and the Cantonese dialect used in Hong Kong (zh-hk), it is referred to as 仙茅屬. In Vietnam, it is commonly called Chi Cồ nốc, while in Poland, it is known as Czużyca.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 仙茅属 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 仙茅屬 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 仙茅屬 | Wikidata |
| vi | Chi Cồ nốc | Wikidata |
| pl | Czużyca | Wikidata |
| zh | 仙茅属 | Wikidata |
| ar | ظيون | Wikidata |
| cs | zobatec | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 仙茅属 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 仙茅屬 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, belonging to the genus Curculigo, exhibits a specific distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. Within this geographical range, it can be found growing in the nation of Benin. The species is also documented to inhabit the territories of Burkina and Gambia. Furthermore, its presence extends into the country of Ghana. Finally, its natural habitat includes the coastal landscape of Guinea-Bissau.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
Chemicals
Curculigo has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include curculigine.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| curculigine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Curculigo has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antitumor, Neuroprotective.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Curculigo has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include impotence, osteoporosis.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| impotence | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| osteoporosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |