Gynostemma longipes

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Cucurbitales, it is a member of the family Cucurbitaceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Gymnostemma, specifically as the species Gymnostemma longipes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several key regions within the country of China. Specifically, its natural habitat includes the diverse landscapes of China South-Central. Furthermore, the species can be found growing throughout the territories of China North-Central. It also maintains a significant distribution within the areas of China Southeast. Collectively, these locations define the primary geographical range for Gynostemma longipes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Gynostemma longipes is defined by its specialized habitat requirements within montane environments, where it thrives within a specific altitudinal belt. This species is primarily distributed across high-altitude regions, occupying a niche that ranges from a minimum elevation of 1,600 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 3,200 m AMSL. Within this vertical range, the plant is adapted to the unique microclimates of mountain ecosystems, which typically involve cooler temperatures, increased cloud cover, and distinct moisture regimes characteristic of mid-to-high elevation tropical or subtropical zones. Its presence in these specific altitudinal strata suggests a reliance on the environmental stability and soil compositions found in these montane niches.

Elevational range max:

3200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1600 m AMSL

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Leaf

1. Frontiers in plant science

Rhizome

1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Root

1. Frontiers in plant science

Chemicals

Gynostemma longipes has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Gypenoside XLIX, Gypenoside-A, 2,3-Oxidosqualene, Compound 1, Dammarenediol II.

Gypenoside XLIX

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Gypenoside-A

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

2,3-Oxidosqualene

1. Frontiers in plant science

Compound 1

1. Scientific reports

Dammarenediol II

1. Frontiers in plant science

Flavonoids

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

Gypenosides

1. Frontiers in plant science

Gypentonoside A

1. Scientific reports

Saponins

1. Food chemistry

Medicinal Uses

Gynostemma longipes has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include apoptosis, hepatosteatosis, hypertension, obesity, oxidative stress.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations