STROBILANTHES CUSIA WHOLE

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Strobilanthes flaccidifolia
• Strobilanthes championii
• Baphicacanthus cusia
• Strobilanthes balansae
• Goldfussia cusia
• Dipteracanthus calycinus
• Ruellia indigofera
• Ruellia indigotica

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Lamiales and the family Acanthaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Strobilanthes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions of East Asia. Within China, it can be found in the South-Central provinces as well as the Southeast. Its range also extends to the tropical island of Hainan and the high-altitude areas of Tibet. Beyond mainland China, the species is also documented in the country of Japan. Together, these locations highlight the plant's broad geographical presence throughout the eastern part of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Strobilanthes cusiat is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its growth habit and structural classification, it exhibits characteristics of both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms, indicating a capacity for developing woody or semi-woody stems that elevate its photosynthetic organs above the ground level.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Strobilanthes cuisia is characterized by a growth form classified as a herb with woody characteristics, reaching an average plant height of approximately 1 m. This species functions as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber, maintaining a stable upright structure. In terms of its ecological positioning and growth habit, it is a terrestrial plant, meaning it grows in the soil rather than occupying an epiphytic niche.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Plant height mean:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Strobilanthes cusia is characterized by complex metabolic processes adapted to its specific ecological niche, involving intricate photosynthetic pathways and nutrient acquisition strategies. As a non-nitrogen-fixing plant, its nitrogen fixation status is categorized as "no," meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms; instead, it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system. The plant's metabolic vigor is heavily influenced by its seasonal growth patterns and the cyclical nature of its flowering, which necessitates significant shifts in energy allocation from vegetative biomass to reproductive structures. Cellular respiration and osmotic regulation within its tissues are finely tuned to manage water potential and maintain turgor, ensuring survival during varying moisture availability. Furthermore, the secondary metabolic pathways in Strobilanthes cusia are highly active, producing various phytochemicals that serve physiological roles in defense against herbivory and environmental stressors.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Strobilanthes cusia has 3 reported plant parts identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, stem.

Leaf

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. BMC plant biology
3. Journal of experimental pharmacology
4. Natural product research
5. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology

Root

1. Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources

Stem

1. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology

Chemicals

Strobilanthes cusia has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Indirubin, INDIGO, INDICAN, 7-methoxy-13-dehydroxypaxilline, Betulin.

Indirubin

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Frontiers in plant science
3. BMC plant biology
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology
5. Science progress

INDIGO

1. Frontiers in plant science
2. BMC plant biology
3. Science progress
4. PloS one
5. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology

INDICAN

1. BMC plant biology
2. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology

7-methoxy-13-dehydroxypaxilline

1. Natural product research

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

Cynatratoside A

1. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Glycosides

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Indole alkaloid

1. Frontiers in plant science

Indoles

1. BMC plant biology

Tryptanthrin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Strobilanthes cusia has 13 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiviral, Antitumor, AntiHIV, Antibacterial, Anticarcinomic.

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Frontiers in plant science
3. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke
2. Frontiers in plant science

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Frontiers in plant science

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Aphidifuge

1. Dr. Duke

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Strobilanthes cusia has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Getah virus, antiviral, cancer, dermatoses, eastern equine encephalitis virus.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations