Pseudocaryopteris foetida

Pseudocaryopteris foetida, commonly known as the stinking fern, is a distinctive medicinal plant native to specific tropical regions. Renowned for its potent, pungent aroma, this species is traditionally utilized in various folk remedies. It holds significant ethnobotanical value, offering potential pharmacological properties for treating diverse ailments in traditional medicine.

  • Scientific name: Pseudocaryopteris foetida
  • Family: Lamiaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Pseudocaryopteris foetida, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is further classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae within the order Lamiales. Finally, it resides in the family Lamiaceae and is categorized under the genus Pseudocaryopteris.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Lamiales WCVP
Family Lamiaceae WCVP
Genus Pseudocaryopteris WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Pseudocaryopteris foetida, is known by various names depending on the region and language. In English, it is commonly referred to as the stinking fern, while in French, it is known as la fougère puante. In Portuguese, the species is called samambaia fedorenta.
Language Common Name Source

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across parts of East and South Asia. In China, it can be found specifically within the South-Central and Southeast regions. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, its presence is noted in the state of Assam. It is also documented to grow within the borders of Bangladesh. Finally, its range extends into the mountainous terrain of the East Himalaya.

Region Area Source
China China South-Central WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Assam WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Bangladesh WCVP
Indian Subcontinent East Himalaya WCVP
Indian Subcontinent India WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Nepal WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Pakistan WCVP
Indian Subcontinent West Himalaya WCVP
Indo-China Myanmar WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Pseudocaryopteris foetida, is characterized by its distinctive foliage, as the leaves serve as a primary morphological feature. These leaves are typically arranged to maximize light absorption, contributing to the plant's overall vitality and its ability to thrive in its specific ecological niche. In many medicinal species, the chemical compounds and therapeutic properties are often concentrated within the leaf tissue, making them a focal point for study and traditional use.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Pseudocaryopteris foetida has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoid, tannin.

Total chemicals
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
flavonoid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
tannin 1 ★☆☆☆☆