Trichosanthes pilosa var. pilosa
Trichosanthes pilosa var. pilosa, commonly known as creeping cucumber, is a versatile medicinal herb valued in traditional systems like Ayurveda. Characterized by its climbing vines and small fruits, this plant possesses significant therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities, making it essential for treating various ailments.
- Scientific name: Trichosanthes pilosa var. pilosa
- Family: Cucurbitaceae
- 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 Cucurbitales and the family Cucurbitaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Trichosanthes, specifically identified as the variety pilosa.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Cucurbitales | WCVP |
| Family | Cucurbitaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Trichosanthes | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions of East Asia. Within China, it can be found spanning from the South-Central provinces to the Southeast coastal areas. Its presence extends further south to the tropical island of Hainan and reaches into the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Beyond the mainland, the species is also naturally distributed within the country of Japan. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in diverse Asian landscapes.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Japan | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Kazan-retto | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Nansei-shoto | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Ogasawara-shoto | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Trichosanthes pilosa var. pilosa, possesses specific underground structures that are significant to its morphology and traditional uses. The plant develops specialized storage organs in the form of tubers, which serve to store nutrients and energy for the plant's survival. Specifically, these root tubers function as the primary subterranean reservoirs, anchoring the plant while facilitating its growth cycles through the accumulation of essential organic compounds.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| tubers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root tubers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Trichosanthes pilosa var. pilosa has 2 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Abortifacient, Antitumor.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Abortifacient | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |