Chinese amomum

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese amomum

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Amomum longiligulare

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Zingiberales, it is classified under the family Zingiberaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Wurfbainia as the species Wurfbainia longiligularis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several distinct regions in Asia. In China, its distribution can be found specifically within Hainan and throughout China Southeast. Its presence extends into the Indo-China peninsula, where it inhabits various landscapes. Within this area, it is documented to grow in Laos and Thailand. Furthermore, the species is also widely distributed across Vietnam.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Wurfbainia longiligularis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its biological structure and survival strategy, it is classified as a geophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located underground, often protected by soil or organic matter. This specialized adaptation further aligns it with the cryptophyte category, as its vital regenerative organs remain concealed beneath the surface to endure unfavorable environmental conditions.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Wurfbainia longiligularis is characterized by its growth form as a herb, reaching a mean plant height of approximately 2 m. It functions as a self-supporting climber, maintaining its structure without being an obligatory or facultative climber. The plant is non-woody in nature and grows as an independent organism, showing no parasitic tendencies. Furthermore, it is a terrestrial species, establishing itself in the soil rather than growing as an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Wurfbainia longiligularis is characterized by its specific metabolic adaptations to its native habitat, focusing on efficient nutrient uptake and resource management. Regarding its nitrogen metabolism, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form. Consequently, it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system to support protein synthesis and cellular functions. Its physiological processes are governed by standard photosynthetic pathways to facilitate carbon fixation, driving the energy production necessary for growth and reproduction within its ecological niche.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Wurfbainia longiligularis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Frontiers in plant science

Chemicals

Wurfbainia longiligularis has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BORNYL ACETATE, Borneol, (+)-Borneol, (-)-Borneol, Acetyl CoA.

BORNYL ACETATE

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
2. Frontiers in plant science

Borneol

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
2. Frontiers in plant science

(+)-Borneol

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

(-)-Borneol

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Acetyl CoA

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

CAMPHENE

1. Frontiers in plant science

Geranyl diphosphate

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Isoborneol

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Linalool

1. Frontiers in plant science

Monoterpenes

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Medicinal Uses

Wurfbainia longiligularis has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include gastrointestinal diseases.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations