Taxillus chinensis
Taxillus chinensis, commonly known as the Chinese Taxillus, is a significant parasitic plant in traditional medicine. Often referred to as a "mistletoe" variety, it is highly valued for its therapeutic properties. Historically used to support vitality and kidney health, this botanical specimen remains a key subject in ethnopharmacology.
- Scientific name: Taxillus chinensis
- Family: Loranthaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Santalales and the family Loranthaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Taxillus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Santalales | WCVP |
| Family | Loranthaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Taxillus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Taxillus chinensis, is known by various names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Mandarin Chinese, it is referred to as 桑寄生 (zh, zh-cn, zh-tw), while in the Zhuang language, it is known as 桑上寄生 (lzh). Additionally, in Yue Chinese, the common name is 桑寄生 (yue).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| yue | 桑寄生 | Wikidata |
| zh | 桑寄生 | Wikidata |
| lzh | 桑上寄生 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 桑寄生 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 桑寄生 | Wikidata |
| zh | 广寄生 | Wikidata |
| zh | 桃树寄生 | Wikidata |
| zh | 桑上寄生 | Wikidata |
| zh | 寄生茶 | Wikidata |
| zh | 广寄生* | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions in East and Southeast Asia. Within China, its presence is noted in Hainan and throughout China Southeast. Moving into the Indo-China region, it can also be found in the country of Cambodia. Furthermore, the species extends its range into Laos. Finally, its distribution encompasses parts of Thailand.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
| Malesia | Borneo | WCVP |
| Malesia | Malaya | WCVP |
| Malesia | Philippines | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Taxillus chinensis, utilizes various components for its medicinal properties, most notably its leaves and seeds. The leaves are often harvested for their bioactive compounds, which are central to the plant's traditional therapeutic uses. Additionally, the seeds serve as a significant part of the plant's reproductive and chemical profile, containing specific elements that contribute to its overall pharmacological significance.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Taxillus chinensis has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include cardiac glycosides, flavonoid, flavonoids, glycosides, hyperoside.
- Total chemicals
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cardiac glycosides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glycosides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercitrin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| salicylic acids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |