Melodinus cochinchinensis

Melodinus cochinchinensis, commonly known as the Cochinchine Melodinus, is a rare medicinal plant native to Southeast Asian tropical forests. Renowned in traditional ethnobotany, it possesses unique bioactive compounds. Researchers are increasingly investigating its potential pharmacological properties, specifically for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in modern therapeutic applications.

  • Scientific name: Melodinus cochinchinensis
  • Family: Apocynaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianales, it is classified under the family Apocynaceae and the genus Melodinus. Consequently, its full taxonomic identity is defined as Melodinus cochinchinenis.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Gentianales WCVP
Family Apocynaceae WCVP
Genus Melodinus WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Melodinus cochinchinensis, is referred to by various common names depending on the region and language. In Vietnamese, it is called Giom rừng, while in Chinese, it is commonly known as 马骝藤 (including the simplified form 马骝藤 in mainland China and the traditional form 馬騮藤 in Taiwan). Additionally, it is also referred to by the name 景东山橙 in Chinese.
Language Common Name Source
vi Giom rừng Wikidata
zh 马骝藤 Wikidata
zh-cn 马骝藤 Wikidata
zh-tw 馬騮藤 Wikidata
zh 景东山橙 Wikidata
zh 思茅山橙 Wikidata
zh 长果山橙 Wikidata
zh 岩山枝 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across parts of East and South Asia. Within China, its presence is recorded in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan regions. The distribution extends further into the Indian Subcontinent, where it can be found in Assam. Additionally, the species is documented to grow within the borders of Bangladesh. Together, these locations highlight a significant ecological footprint across these specific subtropical territories.

Region Area Source
China China South-Central WCVP
China Hainan WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Assam WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Bangladesh WCVP
Indian Subcontinent East Himalaya WCVP
Indian Subcontinent India WCVP
Indo-China Cambodia WCVP
Indo-China Laos WCVP
Indo-China Myanmar WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Meloдинаus cochinchiensis, possesses a distinct morphological structure where its medicinal properties are distributed throughout its various components. The lush, green leaves serve as a primary site for photosynthesis and contain vital bioactive compounds. Supporting these leaves are the sturdy stems and slender twigs, which form the intricate branching framework of the herb. Finally, the underground roots anchor the plant and serve as a concentrated reservoir of its therapeutic essence, making the entire physical structure essential for its traditional use.
Total parts
4
Scientific sources
7
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaves 3 ★★☆☆☆
stems 2 ★☆☆☆☆
twigs 1 ★☆☆☆☆
roots 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Melodinus cochinchinensis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include monoterpenoid indole alkaloids.

Total chemicals
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
monoterpenoid indole alkaloids 1 ★☆☆☆☆