Grass Orchid

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Grass Orchid

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cyrtopodium squalidum
• Graphorkis sumatrana
• Cyrtopera fusca
• Cyrtopera gardneri
• Cyrtopera godefroyi
• Cyrtopera laxiflora
• Cyrtopera plicata
• Cyrtopera regnieri
• Cyrtopera mysorensis
• Phaius steppicola
• Cyrtopera nuda
• Eulophia mucronata
• Semiphajus chevalieri
• Graphorkis elata
• Eulophia macgregorii
• Cyrtopera squalida
• Graphorkis holochila
• Graphorkis nuda
• Graphorkis squalida
• Eulophia squalida var. neoguineensis
• Eulophia squalida
• Geodorum pierrei
• Eulophia sumatrana
• Eulophia bicolor var. celebica
• Eulophia burkei
• Eulophia celebica
• Eulophia elata
• Eulophia elongata
• Eulophia fusca
• Eulophia holochila
• Eulophia hildebrandii

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 Asparagales, it is classified under the family Orchidaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Eulophia and the species name Eulophia nuda.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it is commonly found throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it grows in the state of Assam. Additionally, the species can be located within the borders of Bangladesh. Finally, it is also distributed across the rugged terrain of the East Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Eulophia nuda is characterized by its ability to thrive across diverse montane and sub-montane landscapes, specifically occupying an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 600 m AMSL to a maximum of 2400 m AMSL. Within this altitudinal gradient, the species adapts to varying microclimates, often finding suitable habitats in well-drained soils and grassy slopes where it can balance moisture availability with necessary light exposure. Its distribution within these specific elevations suggests a preference for temperate to subtropical environmental conditions, where the seasonal fluctuations in temperature and humidity support its life cycle and growth patterns.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Eulophia nuda is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term survival and ability to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a geophyte, it manages environmental stressors by storing essential nutrients and moisture in specialized underground structures, allowing it to remain dormant during unfavorable periods. This survival strategy is further supported by its classification as a cryptophyte, where the critical regenerative parts of the plant are protected beneath the soil surface, shielded from external fluctuations.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Eulophia nuda is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and a forb, existing as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or liana. It is an independent organism, functioning without parasitic tendencies, and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, neither being aquatic, semiaquatic, nor an epiphyte. The plant exhibits a non-woody structure, typically reaching a maximum height of approximately 1 meter.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Eulophia nuda is characterized by a specialized adaptation to seasonal moisture fluctuations, primarily through the management of underground storage organs. The plant lacks significant succulent tissue in its aerial structures, as indicated by its lack of succulence (trait_1: no; trait_2: no), instead relying on its tuberous roots to function as the primary reservoir for water and carbohydrates. These fleshy tubers allow the plant to undergo periods of dormancy during unfavorable environmental conditions, effectively regulating its metabolic rate to survive dry spells. Photosynthetic activity is concentrated within its leaves, where gas exchange and light absorption are optimized for its specific habitat. The plant's physiological processes are closely tied to its life cycle, transitioning from active vegetative growth fueled by stored energy to a reproductive phase where resources are diverted toward the development of its floral structures.

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Eulophia nuda is characterized by specific dispersal mechanisms that facilitate its spread within its habitat. The plant primarily exhibits an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on wind currents to transport its seeds across distances. In addition to this wind-based method, the species also utilizes a zoochorous strategy, involving animals in the movement of its reproductive units. This combination of anemochory and zoochory ensures a multi-modal approach to colonization, allowing the plant to effectively navigate its environment through both atmospheric and biological vectors.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Eulophia nuda has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Eulophiol, Phenols, Terpenoids, carboxylic acids.

Eulophiol

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

Phenols

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Terpenoids

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

carboxylic acids

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Conditions

Eulophia nuda has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include arthritis, osteoarthritis.

Arthritis

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

Osteoarthritis

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology