Saussurea triangulata

Saussurea triangulata, commonly known as Costus, is a precious medicinal herb found in the high-altitude Himalayan regions. Renowned for its potent therapeutic properties, it is extensively used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to treat respiratory ailments, skin disorders, and inflammatory conditions, making it a highly valued botanical resource globally.

  • Scientific name: Saussurea triangulata
  • Family: Asteraceae
  • 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. It is further classified within the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Saussurea.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Asterales WCVP
Family Asteraceae WCVP
Genus Saussurea WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Saussurea triangulata, is recognized by several regional names depending on the language and local culture. In Chinese, it is commonly referred to as 毛苞风毛菊 (máo bāo fēng máo jú).
Language Common Name Source
zh 毛苞风毛菊 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the temperate regions of Northeast Asia. In the Russian Far East, its presence is documented across several distinct territories including Amur and Khabarovsk. It also extends further into the maritime regions of Primorye and the island of Saksaklin. Beyond the Russian borders, the species is found within the Manchuria region of China. Together, these locations define the primary natural range for this medicinal species.

Region Area Source
Russian Far East Amur WCVP
Russian Far East Khabarovsk WCVP
Russian Far East Primorye WCVP
Russian Far East Sakhalin WCVP
China Manchuria WCVP
Eastern Asia Korea WCVP
Subarctic America Alaska WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, commonly known as Saussurea triangulata or costus, is primarily valued for its medicinal properties derived from its aerial parts. These above-ground structures include the robust stems, leaves, and flowering heads that emerge from the mountainous terrain where it grows. In traditional medicinal practices, the aerial parts are often collected, processed, and utilized to extract bioactive compounds essential for various therapeutic applications.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
aerial parts 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Saussurea triangulata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids.

Total chemicals
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆