Dioscorea panthaica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dioscorea biserialis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Dioscoreales, it is classified under the family Dioscoreaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Dioscorea and the specific species Dioscorea panthaica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. Within China, it can be found inhabiting the South-Central areas of the country. Additionally, its presence extends into the Southeast regions of China. Moving beyond Chinese borders, the species is also distributed throughout the Indo-China peninsula. Specifically, its range includes the territory of Thailand.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dioscorea panthaica is defined by its presence within specific altitudinal gradients of montane environments. This species inhabits a broad vertical range, occurring from a minimum elevation of 1000 m AMSL up to a maximum altitude of 3500 m AMSL. Within these varying topographical layers, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 2250 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-to-high altitude ecological niches. This distributional pattern indicates an ability to adapt to the diverse climatic conditions and soil compositions found across these significant elevation shifts.

Elevational range max:

3500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2250 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1000 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Dioscorea panthaica is characterized by its specialized survival strategy as a perennial herb that utilizes underground storage organs to endure unfavorable environmental conditions. Belonging to the life form categories of both geophyte and cryptophyte, the plant spends much of its life cycle protected beneath the soil surface. As a geophyte, it relies on a tuberous rhizome to store essential nutrients and moisture, allowing it to remain dormant during dry or cold periods before re-emerging when conditions become favorable. This cryptophytic nature ensures that the vital regenerative parts of the plant are sequestered underground, shielding them from herbivory and extreme temperature fluctuations, which facilitates its persistence in its specific ecological niche.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Dioscorea panthaica is characterized by its growth habit as an obligatory climber, utilizing specialized structures to ascend through its environment. It functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic tendencies toward host plants, and maintains a terrestrial existence rather than growing as an epiphyte. In terms of structural composition, the plant is non-woody, consisting of herbaceous tissues that support its climbing lifestyle.

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Dioscorea panthaica has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include DIOSGENIN, Dioscin, Progenin II, Dioscoreside C, Gracillin.

DIOSGENIN

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

Dioscin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM

Progenin II

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM

Dioscoreside C

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Gracillin

1. Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM

Parvifloside

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Progenin III

1. Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM

Protodeltonin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Trilin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

protobioside

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Dioscorea panthaica has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include arrhythmia, cardiac diseases, cardiovascular diseases, coronary heart disease, hypercholesterolemia.

Arrhythmia

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cardiac diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cardiovascular diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Coronary heart disease

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hypercholesterolemia

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

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Dioscorea panthaica has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extract of the whole plant, rhizomes of Dioscorea panthaica, total saponin.

Extract of the whole plant

1. Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM

Rhizomes of dioscorea panthaica

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Total saponin

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