Curcuma involucrata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is naturally distributed across several key regions within Asia. In China, its presence is specifically noted in the South-Central and Southeast areas. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in Assam. The species also has a significant range within Bangladesh. Finally, its geographical reach extends into the East Himalaya region of the Indian Subcontinent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Curcuma involucrata is characterized by its existence as a geophyte, relying on specialized underground structures to survive seasonal fluctuations and environmental stressors. As a perennial herb, its lifecycle is centered around a fleshy, starch-rich rhizome that serves as a vital storage organ, allowing the plant to persist during dormant periods when aerial parts may die back. The developmental cycle begins with the emergence of leaves from the rhizome, followed by the production of distinctive, large, bracteate inflorescences that are often more prominent than the actual flowers. These bracts play a crucial role in the plant's reproductive strategy by protecting the developing floral structures and potentially attracting specific pollinators. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds that facilitate dispersal, while the primary mode of persistence and local expansion is through vegetative propagation via the expansion of its rhizomatous system. This life history strategy enables the plant to effectively colonize moist, shaded forest floors and riparian zones, ensuring its long-term survival through both sexual reproduction and robust underground storage.

Life form :

geophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Curcuma involucrata is characterized by a robust, herbaceous structure that functions as a self-supporting plant, lacking any climbing or trailing mechanisms. It is a non-climbing species, meaning it does not exhibit obligatory, facultative, or self-supporting climber traits. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite, maintaining its own nutritional processes without relying on a host. Furthermore, the plant is strictly terrestrial in its growth habit, lacking any epiphytic qualities such as being an obligatory or facultative epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Rhizome

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Preparations

Curcuma involucrata has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Essential oil extracted from Stahlianthus involucratus rhizomes (EOSIR).

Essential oil extracted from stahlianthus involucratus rhizomes (eosir)

1. Frontiers in pharmacology