Rheum spiciforme
Rheum spiciforme, commonly known as the Spiked Rhubarb, is a perennial herb native to the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas. Valued in traditional medicine, its roots possess significant therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory and purgative effects. This resilient plant plays a vital role in both ecological and medicinal ecosystems.
- Scientific name: Rheum spiciforme
- Family: Polygonaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls into the order Caryophyllales and the family Polygonaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Rheum as the species Rheum spiciforme.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Polygonaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Rheum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Rheum spiciforme, is known by several common names across different linguistic contexts and regions. In Chinese, it is frequently referred to as 穗序大黄 (suì xù dà huáng), with specific regional variations including 穗序大黄 in mainland China (zh-cn) and 穗序大黃 in Taiwan (zh-tw). Additionally, it is sometimes identified by the names 亚大黄 (yà dà huáng) or 小大黄 (xiǎo dà huáng), reflecting its taxonomic relationship and physical characteristics within the genus.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 穗序大黄 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 穗序大黄 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 穗序大黃 | Wikidata |
| zh | 亚大黄 | Wikidata |
| zh | 小大黄 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions of Asia. Within Central Asia, it can be found growing in the territories of Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, and Tadzhikistan. Its presence extends into Western Asia, specifically within the borders of Afghanistan. Additionally, the species is documented in the eastern part of the continent in China, specifically in the Qinghai province. Together, these locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in diverse mountainous landscapes.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Central Asia | Kazakhstan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Kirgizstan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Tadzhikistan | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Afghanistan | WCVP |
| China | Qinghai | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
| China | Xinjiang | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Pakistan | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Rheum spiciforme, is a medicinal species where the primary part utilized for therapeutic purposes is its roots. These underground structures are harvested and processed to extract various bioactive compounds that contribute to its traditional medicinal value. The roots serve as the concentrated source of the plant's potent chemical constituents, making them the most essential component for its application in herbal remedies.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Rheum spiciforme has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include turmeric.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| turmeric | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |