Hedychium flavum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Gandasulium flavum
• Hedychium coronarium var. flavum
• Hedychium flavosum
• Hedychium coronarium var. urophyllum
• Hedychium coccineum var. urophyllum
• Hedychium coccineum var. flavum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Zingiberales and placed in the family Zingiberaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Hedychium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be found growing in the South-Central and Southeast areas, as well as within the Tibet region. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within the state of Assam. Additionally, the species is naturally occurring in Bangladesh. These diverse locations highlight its broad ecological range across both East and South Asia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hedychium flavum is characterized by its preference for specific altitudinal zones within its native montane habitats. This species thrives within a defined elevational range, typically establishing itself at altitudes starting from a minimum of 1240 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 1700 m AMSL. Within this vertical distribution, the plant occupies niche environments that provide the necessary moisture and temperature gradients required for its growth. Its presence in these mid-to-high elevation belts suggests an adaptation to the cool, humid conditions often found in mountain forest understories or along moist slopes.

Elevational range max:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1240 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Hedychium flavum is characterized by its classification as a geophyte, a growth form that relies on specialized underground storage organs to endure unfavorable environmental conditions. As a perennial herb, it maintains its life cycle through thick, fleshy rhizomes that persist beneath the soil surface, allowing the plant to regenerate and emerge during favorable growing seasons. This geophytic strategy enables the plant to survive periods of dormancy, during which the above-ground foliage may die back, while the nutrient-rich rhizomes remain protected. During the active phase, the plant develops vigorous, leafy shoots that rise from the soil, eventually producing large, fragrant yellow inflorescences. The reproductive cycle is supported by these subterranean structures, which facilitate both vegetative propagation through rhizomatous spreading and sexual reproduction through seed production, ensuring long-term persistence within its natural habitat.

Life form :

geophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Hedychium flavum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb that functions as a self-supporting plant. It is a terrestrial species, neither aquatic nor semiaquatic, and it does not exhibit climbing habits such as a liana or vine, instead remaining entirely self-supporting through its own structural integrity. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite and lacks any epiphytic tendencies, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The plant's physical structure is defined by its non-woody nature, lacking the lignified tissues found in shrubs or trees.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hedychium flavum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, rhizome.

Flower

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rhizome

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Chemicals

Hedychium flavum has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,8-Cineole, LIMONENE, Linalool, ALPHA-PINENE, BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE.

1,8-Cineole

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Chemistry Central journal

LIMONENE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Linalool

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. Chemistry Central journal

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

Borneol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

E-Nerolidol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

EO

1. Dr. Duke

GAMMA-TERPINENE

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Hedychium flavum has 90 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, ACE-Inhibitor, AChE-Inhibitor, Acaricide.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AChE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allelopathic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Hedychium flavum has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diarrhea, indigestion.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations