Curcuma comosa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Curcuma comosa, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Zingiberales and the family Zingiberaceae. Finally, it is placed within the genus Curcuma.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several key regions in Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, its presence is specifically noted in the state of Assam. Moving into the Indo-China region, it can be found distributed throughout both Myanmar and Thailand. Additionally, the species extends into the Malesia region, specifically inhabiting Malaya. These locations highlight the widespread natural habitat of Curcuma comosa across Southeast Asia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Curcuma comosa is characterized by its specialized survival strategy as a perennial herb that relies on underground storage organs to endure unfavorable environmental conditions. Classified primarily as a geophyte, the plant maintains its regenerative capacity through a fleshy rhizome located beneath the soil surface, which serves as a nutrient reservoir for rapid regrowth. This biological classification also identifies it as a cryptophyte, meaning its essential perennating buds are protected from external stressors by being situated below the ground level. Throughout its life cycle, the plant emerges from the soil to produce lush, leafy foliage and eventually inflorescences, but it can retreat into a dormant state during dry periods, relying entirely on its subterranean structures to persist until favorable growing conditions return.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Curcuma comosa is characterized by a growth habit that is strictly terrestrial, as it functions as a non-epiphytic organism. It does not exhibit any climbing tendencies, as it lacks the specialized structures required for both obligatory and facultative climbing, instead maintaining a self-supporting stature through its robust rhizomatous structure. Furthermore, the plant is entirely independent in its nutrient acquisition, showing no parasitic behavior, whether obligatory or facultative, and relies solely on its own physiological processes for survival.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Curcuma comosa has 1 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome.

Rhizome

1. Natural product communications
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
3. Journal of natural medicines
4. Proteome science

Chemicals

Curcuma comosa has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Alismoxide, D3, IL 10, MCP-1, Phytoestrogens.

Alismoxide

1. Journal of natural medicines

D3

1. Vascular pharmacology

IL 10

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

MCP-1

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Phytoestrogens

1. Vascular pharmacology

guaidiol

1. Journal of natural medicines

isocoronarin D

1. Inflammopharmacology

Conditions

Curcuma comosa has 9 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include acne vulgaris, atherosclerosis, breast cancer, cardiovascular diseases, cervical cancer.

Acne vulgaris

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Atherosclerosis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Breast cancer

1. Environmental health perspectives

Cardiovascular diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cervical cancer

1. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet

Cholesterol

1. Artery

Inflammation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ovarian cancer

1. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet

Triglyceride

1. Artery

Preparations

Curcuma comosa has 7 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 95% ethanol, Curcuma comosa Rhizomes, Curcuma comosa powder, ethanol extracts, extracts.

95% ethanol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Curcuma comosa rhizomes

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Curcuma comosa powder

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethanol extracts

1. Die Pharmazie

Extracts

1. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet

Rhizomes

1. Natural product communications

Tablets

1. International journal of pharmaceutics