Strobilanthes affinis
Strobilanthes affinis, commonly known as the Neelakurinji, is a remarkable shrub famous for its mass flowering every twelve years. Endemic to the Western Ghats, this plant holds significant ethnobotanical value. Traditionally, various parts are utilized in indigenous medicine to treat ailments ranging from skin diseases to digestive issues.
- Scientific name: Strobilanthes affinis
- Family: Acanthaceae
- 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 Lamiales, it is classified under the family Acanthaceae and is identified by the genus Strobilanthes. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined as Strobilanthes affinis.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Acanthaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Strobilanthes | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Strobilanthes affinis, is recognized by various regional common names across different languages. In Chinese, it is referred to as 肖笼鸡 (also written as 肖笼鸡 in simplified Chinese and mainland Chinese contexts) and is also known as 顶头马蓝. In Vietnamese, the species is commonly called Cơm nếp.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 肖笼鸡 | Wikidata |
| vi | Cơm nếp | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 肖笼鸡 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 肖笼鸡 | Wikidata |
| zh | 顶头马蓝 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be found throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its presence also extends into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within the state of Assam. Furthermore, the species is documented to grow in the country of Bangladesh. Finally, its natural range reaches into the mountainous terrain of Nepal.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Strobilanthes affinis, is characterized by specific morphological features in its vegetative structures. The stems are typically erect and can vary in thickness, providing the necessary structural support for the plant's growth habit. The leaves are another prominent feature, generally being oppositely arranged on the stems and possessing a distinct shape and texture that are characteristic of the Acanthaceae family.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Strobilanthes affinis has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |