Dendrobium moniliforme

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Callista spathacea
• Limodorum monile
• Callista moniliformis
• Dendrobium moniliforme f. alboviolaceum
• Dendrobium spathaceum
• Ormostema albiflora
• Epidendrum moniliferum
• Dendrobium kosepangii
• Dendrobium nienkui
• Epidendrum moniliforme
• Dendrobium heishanense
• Dendrobium japonicum
• Dendrobium moniliforme var. malipoense
• Dendrobium dalleizettei
• Dendrobium crispulum
• Callista japonica
• Dendrobium candidum
• Callista candida
• Dendrobium castum
• Dendrobium moniliforme var. hongbinii
• Dendrobium taiwanianum
• Dendrobium yunnanense
• Dendrobium zonatum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Dendrobium moniliforme, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asparagales. It is a member of the Orchidaceae family, specifically positioned within the genus Dendrobium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several regions of East Asia. Within China, it can be found spanning from the South-Central provinces to the North-Central areas. Its presence is also well-documented throughout the Southeast region of China. Beyond the Chinese mainland, the species extends into the island nation of Japan. Finally, its geographical range includes the Korean Peninsula.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dendrobium moniliiforme is characterized by its specific adaptation to montane environments, where it thrives within a distinct vertical distribution. This species is primarily found across a significant altitudinal gradient, occupying ecological niches that range from a minimum elevation of 1000 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 2700 m AMSL. Within this elevational range, the plant's survival is dictated by the varying microclimates, humidity levels, and light availability typical of high-altitude forest ecosystems. Its placement within these specific mountain strata allows it to exploit specialized moisture regimes and temperature fluctuations that are essential for its growth and reproductive cycles.

Elevational range max:

2700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1000 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Dendrobium moniliiforme is characterized by its specialized ecological niche as a lithophyte, often growing upon rocky substrates or within the crevices of stone surfaces where it secures itself through adventitious roots. As a perennial epiphyte-like organism, its growth strategy aligns with the characteristics of a phanerophyte, developing robust, cane-like pseudobulbs that serve as essential water and nutrient storage organs to withstand fluctuating moisture levels. The plant follows a cyclic developmental pattern where it produces elongated, segmented stems that emerge from a rhizome, eventually maturing into a structure capable of supporting photosynthetic leaves and seasonal reproductive efforts. Its life cycle involves a period of vegetative expansion followed by the emergence of inflorescences, typically triggered by environmental cues such as changes in light intensity or humidity. Through its lithophytic adaptation, the plant manages a complex survival strategy, balancing the need for rapid nutrient uptake from minimal organic matter found on rock surfaces with long-term resilience provided by its succulent-like morphology.

Life form :

lithophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Dendrobium moniliforme is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. It functions as an obligatory epiphyte, typically growing upon other plants for physical support rather than extracting nutrients from them, as it is an independent organism and not a parasite. Regarding its climbing habit, the plant is classified as a self-supporting climber, utilizing its specialized structures to maintain its position within its ecological niche.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

obligatory

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Dendrobium moniliforme has 3 reported plant parts identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem, root, leaf.

Stem

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
2. Journal of natural products
3. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
4. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB
5. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Root

1. Microscopy research and technique
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Leaf

1. Microscopy research and technique

Chemicals

Dendrobium moniliforme has 66 reported phytochemicals identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ANTHOCYANIN, Anthocyanins, Dendrobine, Flavonoids, denbinobin.

ANTHOCYANIN

1. Frontiers in plant science
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Acta pharmaceutica Sinica. B

Anthocyanins

1. Frontiers in plant science
2. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Dendrobine

1. International journal of molecular sciences
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Flavonoids

1. Frontiers in plant science
2. Acta pharmaceutica Sinica. B

denbinobin

1. Journal of natural products
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

dendromoniliside E

1. Journal of natural products
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

(-)-loliolide

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

(S)-3,4,4'-trihydroxy-5,alpha-dimethoxybibenzyl

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

(S)-3,4,4'-trihydroxy-5-methoxy-alpha-ethoxybibenzyl

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

2,3,4,7-tetramethoxyphenanthrene

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Activities

Dendrobium moniliforme has 4 reported activities identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiinflammatory, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Free-Radical Scavenging.

Antiinflammatory

1. Journal of natural products

Antioxidant

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Cytotoxic

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Free-Radical Scavenging

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Conditions

Dendrobium moniliforme has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Preparations

Dendrobium moniliforme has 19 reported preparations identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include stems, Dendrobium alkaloids (DNLA), acetone, ammonic chloroform extracts, chloroform.

Stems

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
2. Journal of natural products
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Dendrobium alkaloids (dnla)

1. Planta medica

Acetone

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Ammonic chloroform extracts

1. Zhongguo yi xue ke xue yuan xue bao. Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae

Chloroform

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Dried herbs

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Ethanol

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Ethanol extract

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Hexane

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Methanol

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine