resurrection-lily

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• resurrection-lily
• tropical-crocus
• kaempferia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Kaempferia versicolor
• Kaempferia longa

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Zingiberales, falling into the family Zingiberaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Kaempferia and the specific species rotunda.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct regions in Asia. Within China, it can be found in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. Its presence extends to the island of Taiwan in Eastern Asia. Additionally, the species is documented within the Indian Subcontinent, specifically in Assam. Together, these locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in various subtropical environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Kaempferia rotundifolia is characterized by its adaptation to low-to-mid altitude tropical environments, typically thriving within an elevational range that spans from 0 m to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL. Found primarily in the shaded understory of moist tropical forests and moist deciduous forests, the species prefers habitats with high humidity, dappled sunlight, and nutrient-rich, well-draining soils. Its growth patterns are closely tied to the seasonal moisture availability of its native Southeast Asian habitats, where it often utilizes its specialized rhizomatous structure to persist through varying environmental conditions. By occupying these specific altitudinal niches, the plant plays a role in the forest floor microecosystem, contributing to soil stabilization and providing organic matter through its seasonal leaf senescence.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Kaempferia rotundifolia is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing a single reproductive cycle. As a geophyte, its survival strategy relies heavily on underground storage organs, such as rhizomes, which allow the plant to endure unfavorable environmental conditions and regrow during favorable periods. This geophytic life form enables the species to maintain a steady presence in its habitat by protecting its vital nutrient reserves beneath the soil surface, facilitating its continuous life cycle.

Life form :

geophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Kaempferia rotundunda is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic nature, and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, neither exhibiting aquatic, semiaquatic, nor epiphytic tendencies. The plant is a self-supporting species rather than a climber, liana, or vine, maintaining a stable upright or prostrate structure without the need for external support.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Kaempferia rotunda has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome.

Rhizome

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Chemicals

Kaempferia rotunda has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Lectin, KRL.

Lectin

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology
2. International journal of biological macromolecules

KRL

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Activities

Kaempferia rotunda has 4 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Antiproliferative.

Antibacterial

1. Protein and peptide letters

Anticancer

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Antimicrobial

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Antiproliferative

1. Protein and peptide letters

Medicinal Uses

Kaempferia rotunda has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include colon cancer, premature aging, skin diseases.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations