Hellenia speciosa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Costus speciosus
• Costus glaber
• Costus speciosus var. formosanus
• Costus speciosus var. sericeus
• Kaempferia speciosa
• Tsiana speciosa
• Planera speciosa
• Cheilocostus speciosus
• Hellenia speciosa var. dilnavaziae
• Costus speciosus var. nipalensis
• Costus speciosus var. hirsutus
• Cheilocostus potierae
• Costus speciosus var. leocalyx
• Cardamomum arboreum
• Amomum hirsutum
• Banksea speciosa
• Amomum arboreum
• Costus angustifolius
• Costus crispiflorus
• Costus formosanus
• Costus lamingtonii
• Costus loureiroi
• Costus nipalensis
• Costus potierae
• Costus sericeus
• Costus spicatus var. pubescens
• Costus speciosus var. angustifolius
• Costus speciosus var. argyrophyllus
• Costus speciosus var. dilnavaziae
• Costus vaginalis
• Costus speciosus var. glaber

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Zingiberales, it is further categorized into the family Costaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Hellenia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across two major regions. Within the Western Indian Ocean, it can be found growing in the Comoros, Mauritius, and Réunion. Additionally, its presence extends to East Asia, specifically covering parts of China. In this region, it is documented in China South-Central as well as on the island of Hainan. Consequently, the species thrives in both isolated oceanic islands and significant mainland territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hellenia speciosa is characterized by its ability to inhabit a diverse range of topographical settings, specifically spanning an elevational range from 0 m to 1000 m AMSL. This broad altitudinal distribution allows the species to thrive in varied environments, ranging from lowland coastal or riverine areas up to mid-elevation hilly terrains. Such a gradient suggests an adaptability to different microclimates, including variations in temperature, moisture availability, and atmospheric pressure found within these vertical zones. By occupying these specific elevations, the plant integrates into distinct ecological niches that support its growth and distribution across its native landscape.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Genetics

The genetics of Hellenia speciosa are characterized by a complex and variable karyotype, exhibiting significant chromosomal diversity across different studies and specimens. The chromosomal landscape of this species is defined by a wide range of chromosome numbers, specifically recorded as 13, 17, 27, 36, and 72. This variation suggests a high degree of genomic plasticity, potentially involving mechanisms such as polyploidy or aneuploidy, which contribute to the plant's evolutionary adaptability and genetic complexity.

Chromosome number :

13, 17, 27, 36, 72

Life history

The life history of Hellenia speciosa is characterized by its classification as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Structurally and ecologically, the plant functions as a geophyte, meaning it survives unfavorable environmental periods by retreating to underground storage organs. This survival strategy is further defined by its status as a cryptophyte, as its regenerative buds are protected below the soil surface, ensuring its long-term continuity within its natural habitat.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Helenia speciosa is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite. It is a terrestrial plant, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, and is categorized as a self-supporting species rather than a liana or vine. The plant exhibits significant variation in stature, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 4 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 2.25 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Plant height mean:

2.25 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hellenia speciosa is characterized by its specific morphological dimensions and metabolic processes, most notably its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway for carbon fixation. The leaves exhibit significant morphological variation in size, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 12 cm to a maximum of 25 cm, resulting in a mean leaf length of 17.5 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width varies from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 10 cm. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms.

Leaf length max:

25 cm

Leaf length mean:

17.5 cm

Leaf length min:

12 cm

Leaf width max:

10 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Helenia speciosa is characterized by specific morphological structures and seed characteristics. The plant produces inflorescences that vary in length, ranging from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.15 m. The resulting fruit is classified as a nut, which is notably indehiscent, meaning it does not split open at maturity to release its contents. The seeds produced are quite small and uniform, with a consistent seed mass of 0.01236 g (representing both the minimum and maximum recorded values) and a maximum seed length of 3 mm.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Fruit type :

nut

Inflorescence length max:

0.15 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.05 m

Seed length max:

3 mm

Seed mass mean:

0.01236 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hellenia speciosa has 5 reported plant parts identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, rhizome, flower, root, stem.

Leaf

1. BioMed research international
2. Scientific reports
3. International journal of medicinal chemistry
4. Viruses
5. Natural product research

Rhizome

1. BioMed research international
2. Current computer-aided drug design
3. Phytotherapy research : PTR
4. Natural product research
5. Diabetes research (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Flower

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Root

1. Current microbiology

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Hellenia speciosa has 37 reported phytochemicals identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Costunolide, DIOSGENIN, Flavonoids, Eremanthin, caffeic acid.

Costunolide

1. Chemico-biological interactions
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR
3. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

DIOSGENIN

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Natural product research

Flavonoids

1. Turkish journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. Biochemistry research international
3. International journal of medicinal chemistry

Eremanthin

1. Chemico-biological interactions
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

caffeic acid

1. Viruses
2. Natural product research

polyphenols

1. Biochemistry research international
2. International journal of medicinal chemistry

15-oxo-octacosanoic acid

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Viruses

CINNAMIC ACID

1. Viruses

Activities

Hellenia speciosa has 172 reported activities identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antiangiogenic.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Turkish journal of pharmaceutical sciences
3. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia
4. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Redox report : communications in free radical research
3. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia
4. Natural product research

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia
3. Natural product research

Antidiabetic

1. Chemico-biological interactions
2. Food chemistry
3. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Antiangiogenic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Natural product research

Antimicrobial

1. Food chemistry
2. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Apoptotic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Natural product research

Neuroprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Current computer-aided drug design

12-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Hellenia speciosa has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidiabetic, human adenoviruses.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations