Viscum ovalifolium
Viscum ovalifolium, commonly known as the oval-leaved mistletoe, is a fascinating parasitic plant found primarily in tropical regions. Renowned in traditional medicine, it possesses significant therapeutic potential. Research suggests its bioactive compounds offer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties, making it a subject of great interest in ethnopharmacology.
- Scientific name: Viscum ovalifolium
- Family: Santalaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized into the order Santalales and the family Santalaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Viscum, specifically as the species Viscum ovalifolium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Santalales | WCVP |
| Family | Santalaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Viscum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Viscum ovalifolium, is recognized by various common names across different linguistic contexts. In Chinese, it is referred to as 瘤果槲寄生 (zh), a name used consistently in mainland China (zh-cn) and Taiwan (zh-tw). Additionally, it is commonly known as 柚寄生 (zh) and 柚树寄生 (zh), highlighting its botanical associations.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 瘤果槲寄生 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 瘤果槲寄生 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 瘤果槲寄生 | Wikidata |
| zh | 柚寄生 | Wikidata |
| zh | 柚树寄生 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. Within China, it is widely documented in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically found in Bangladesh. Additionally, the species is known to inhabit the East Himalaya region. Together, these locations highlight the diverse habitats where Viscum ovalifolium thrives.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Andaman Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Nicobar Is. | WCVP |
Chemicals
Viscum ovalifolium has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include calcium oxalate.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| calcium oxalate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |