Nervilia plicata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pogonia discolor
• Nervilia plicata var. purpurea
• Pogonia biflora
• Pogonia purpurea
• Pogonia velutina
• Epipactis plicata
• Cordyla discolor
• Roptrostemon discolor
• Aplostellis velutina
• Nervilia porphyrophylla
• Pogonia pulchella
• Nervilia purpurea
• Pogonia plicata
• Nervilia velutina
• Nervilia dallachyana
• Nervilia discolor
• Nervilia discolor var. purpurea
• Pogonia dallachyana
• Nervilia biflora
• Nervilia apiculata
• Arethusa plicata

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asparagales, it is classified under the family Orchidaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Nervilia, which includes the species Nervilia plicata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions within East Asia. In China, it can be found throughout the South-Central and North-Central provinces. Its presence also extends to the island of Hainan and the Southeast coastal regions of the country. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed in the island territory of Taiwan. These diverse locations highlight the specific environmental preferences of the species across the region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Nervilia plicata is characterized by its highly specific niche requirements, particularly concerning its altitudinal distribution. This species is strictly confined to a precise elevational range, occurring exclusively at an altitude of 500 m AMSL. This narrow vertical distribution suggests that the plant is highly sensitive to the specific temperature gradients, atmospheric pressure, and moisture regimes found at this exact level above mean sea level. Such specialization implies that its survival is closely tied to the microclimatic stability provided by this specific elevation, making it a niche specialist within its broader habitat.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Nervilia plicata is characterized by its specialized survival strategy as a perennial herb that utilizes underground storage organs to endure unfavorable environmental conditions. Classified as a geophyte, the plant maintains its vital structures beneath the soil surface, typically in the form of tubers or rhizomes, which allow it to remain dormant during periods of drought or seasonal stress. This classification as a cryptophyte further defines its life cycle, as the majority of its vegetative biomass is concealed underground, protecting it from herbivory and extreme temperature fluctuations. During the favorable growing season, the plant emerges from its subterranean state to produce its characteristic foliage and reproductive structures, relying on its stored energy reserves to fuel rapid development before retreating back into its geophytic state once the environment becomes inhospitable.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Nervilia plicata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 0.1 m. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently in its environment rather than functioning as an epiphyte or a parasite. The plant exhibits a self-supporting habit and does not possess any climbing characteristics, maintaining a compact and low-lying structure.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Nervilia plicata has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic.

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Nervilia plicata has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include blood glucose, type 2 diabetes.

Blood glucose

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Type 2 diabetes

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology