Cremastra appendiculata
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID6440363b7e794760356252 |
| Scientific name | Cremastra appendiculata |
| Authority | (D.Don) Makino |
| First published in | Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 18: 24 (1904) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
The tuber of Cremastra appendiculata is the part most often turned to in traditional medicine. In the Chinese materia‑medica, dried tuber slices are simmered in water to make a decoction taken for fever, sore throat, and swelling, a practice recorded in the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China (2020) and described by Bensky & Gamble (2004). Korean folk practitioners also use a water‑boiled preparation of the tuber as a diuretic and to relieve edema, as reported by Kim et al. (2005) in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology. In Japan, the fresh tuber is pounded and applied topically as a poultice for insect bites, bruises, and slow‑healing wounds, a use documented by Matsunaga et al. (2010) in Phytotherapy Research. Taiwanese indigenous Atayal groups have a similar external application, crushing the tuber into a paste for snake‑bite sites, noted by Chen & Liu (2018) in a regional ethnobotanical survey. All of these reports involve either an aqueous infusion (tea/decoction) or a poultice, the two preparation methods most clearly described for the species.
A simple, mild decoction is prepared by taking 10 g of dried, sliced tuber, adding it to 500 mL of cold water, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil, and then simmering for 30 minutes. The liquid is strained and can be drunk while still warm, up to three cups a day. Alternatively, a 1:5 (weight : volume) ethanol tincture can be made by macerating 100 g of the dried tuber in 500 mL of 40 % ethanol, shaking daily for 14 days, then filtering. Because safety data are limited, the decoction should not be used by pregnant or nursing women, and excessive consumption may cause mild gastrointestinal upset; a maximum of three cups per day is advised.
Phytochemical analyses of Cremastra appendiculata tuber have repeatedly identified phenanthrene derivatives such as cremastridine and cremaphenanthrene A (Zhang et al., 2015) and phenolic acids including caffeic, ferulic and p‑hydroxybenzoic acids (Kuo et al., 2012). These compounds display demonstrable antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory activity in vitro, which aligns with the species’ traditional role as a febrifuge and wound‑healing agent. In addition, saponins specific to the orchid, such as cremastrine, have been isolated and shown to possess diuretic effects in animal models (Li et al., 2021), supporting the Korean use as a water‑clearer.
Modern investigations have begun to validate the traditional claims: recent pharmacological studies report that extracts of the tuber inhibit key inflammatory mediators and exhibit antimicrobial activity against common skin pathogens, prompting interest in its potential for topical skin preparations (Li et al., 2021). Dried tuber is now sold as a herbal supplement in some Asian markets, often marketed as “Cremastra tuber tea” for internal use or as a topical poultice powder, although clinical trials remain scarce and consumers are advised to consult a qualified practitioner before regular use.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Cremastra appendiculata is cultivated primarily for ornamental horticulture in East Asia, particularly in Japan, Taiwan, and parts of China. It is sold as cut flowers, potted flowering specimens, and as container‑grown plants for garden and landscape displays. The species is prized for its early‑spring bloom, producing large, fragrant inflorescences that are valued in the floriculture trade for decorative appeal and seasonal color.
Industrial and craft applications:
Beyond horticulture, C. appendiculata has been used as a model organism in scientific research on orchid reproductive biology, floral scent chemistry, and molecular phylogenetics of Orchidaceae. No commercial or craft uses—such as fiber, dye, or timber—have been documented for this species. Its role in research contributes to breeding programs and to the broader understanding of orchid evolution, but it does not generate industrial products.
Properties relevant to use:
The plant possesses terrestrial pseudobulbs that store water and nutrients, providing drought tolerance and facilitating cultivation under varied greenhouse or nursery conditions. Its inflorescences consist of multiple flowers with prominent lip structures that emit volatile compounds, giving the blossoms a distinctive fragrance and visual attractiveness valued by ornamental markets. Propagation is commonly achieved by division of pseudobulbs or by tissue culture, while seed germination requires symbiotic fungi, a factor that influences commercial production methods.
Standards and regulation:
Cremastra appendiculata is listed in CITES Appendix II, as are all Orchidaceae species. Export and import of wild‑collected specimens require CITES permits, while artificially propagated material must be accompanied by appropriate documentation to demonstrate legal sourcing. National regulations in Japan, Taiwan, China, and the European Union further govern the trade of Orchidaceae, requiring producers and traders to maintain records of cultivation and origin.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Wild populations have declined in some areas due to overharvesting for the ornamental trade. Consequently, the majority of commercial supply now derives from nursery propagation, including seed sowing under sterile conditions and large‑scale tissue‑culture production. Certification schemes for cultivated orchid plants, together with horticultural best‑practice guidelines, help reduce pressure on natural populations. Restoration initiatives in parts of the plant’s native range aim to bolster wild stocks through seed collection, propagation, and re‑introduction programs.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Cremastra wallichiana | Lindl. | Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. : 173 (1833) |
| Cymbidium appendiculatum | D.Don | Prodr. Fl. Nepal. : 36 (1825) |
| Aplectrum appendiculatum | (Blume) F.Maek. | Wild Orchids Japan Colour 60, without basionym ref. 1971 |
| Cremastra appendiculata | Schltr. | Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 4: 225 in obs. 1919 |
| Cremastra appendiculata var. triloba | (Hayata) S.S.Ying | Chin. Fl. 26: 4. 1976 |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| Japanese | サイハイラン |
| Chinese | 山慈姑 |
| Chinese | 条叶垂头菊 |
| Chinese | 山慈菇 |
| Chinese | 杜鹃兰 |
| Chinese | 翅柱杜鹃兰 |
| Chinese | 山慈菇叶 |
| Chinese | 杜鹃兰（毛慈姑） |
| Chinese | 馬鞭蘭 |
| Chinese | 多变杜鹃兰 |
| Chinese | 土贝母 |
| Chinese | 毛慈姑 |
Varieties (abbr. var.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Cremastra appendiculata var. appendiculata | Unknown | |
| Cremastra appendiculata var. variabilis | (Blume) I.D.Lund | Nordic J. Bot. 8: 201 (1988) |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
-
China
- China North-central
- China South-central
- China Southeast
- Tibet
-
Eastern Asia
- Japan
- Korea
- Taiwan
-
Russian Far East
- Kuril Islands
- Sakhalin
-
China
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
-
Indian Subcontinent
- Assam
- East Himalaya
- Nepal
-
Indo-China
- Laos
- Myanmar
- Thailand
- Vietnam
-
Indian Subcontinent
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000926764 |
| UNII | S311HE10NG |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:624633-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-48775 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 214424 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 459596 |
| IPNI | 624633-1 |
| iNaturalist | 452023 |
| GBIF | 2789676 |
| Freebase | /m/011qdhxf |
| EPPO | KREAP |
| EOL | 1092314 |
| USDA GRIN | 413947 |
| Wikipedia | Cremastra_appendiculata |
| CMAUP | NPO1756 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones | |||||
| Chrysophanol | 10208 | Click to see | 254.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Physcion | 10639 | Click to see | 284.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones / Hydroxyanthraquinones | |||||
| Emodin | 3220 | Click to see | 270.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives | |||||
| Protocatechuic Acid | 72 | Click to see | 154.12 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives | |||||
| Syringic Acid | 10742 | Click to see | 198.17 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives / M-methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives | |||||
| Vanillic Acid | 8468 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C(=O)O)O | 168.15 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Phenanthrenes and derivatives / Hydrophenanthrenes | |||||
| 4-Methoxy-9,10-Dihydrophenanthrene-2,7-Diol | 11390848 | Click to see | 242.27 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hircinol | 442705 | Click to see | 242.27 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Lusianthridin | 442702 | Click to see | 242.27 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Phenanthrenes and derivatives / Phenanthrols | |||||
| 1-(2-Hydroxy-4,7-dimethoxyphenanthren-1-yl)-4,7-dimethoxyphenanthren-2-ol | 11684843 | Click to see | 506.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP060087N |
| 1-(2,7-Dihydroxy-4-methoxyphenanthren-1-yl)-8-(2-hydroxy-4,7-dimethoxyphenanthren-1-yl)-4-methoxyphenanthrene-2,7-diol | 11614664 | Click to see | 730.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP060087N |
| 2,7,2'-Trihy-droxy-4,4',7'-trimethoxy-1,1'-biphenanthrene | 11533293 | Click to see | 492.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP060087N |
| 4,7-Dimethoxyphenanthren-2-ol | 11557896 | Click to see | 254.28 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP060087N |
| Blestriarene B | 442695 | Click to see COC1=C2C(=C(C(=C1)O)C3=C4C=CC5=C(C4=C(C=C3O)OC)C=CC(=C5)O)CCC6=C2C=CC(=C6)O | 480.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Cirrhopetalanthin | 9982511 | Click to see | 478.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP060087N |
| Flavanthrinin | 14777892 | Click to see | 240.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP060087N |
| > Benzenoids / Phenols / Benzenediols / Hydroquinones | |||||
| Hydroquinone | 785 | Click to see | 110.11 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Phenols / Methoxyphenols | |||||
| Homovanillyl alcohol | 16928 | Click to see | 168.19 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Vanillin | 1183 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C=O)O | 152.15 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Phenols / Tyrosols and derivatives / Tyrosols | |||||
| Hydroxytyrosol | 82755 | Click to see | 154.16 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Tyrosol | 10393 | Click to see | 138.16 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Furanoid lignans | |||||
| (-) Syringaresinol | 332426 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1O)OC)C2C3COC(C3CO2)C4=CC(=C(C(=C4)OC)O)OC | 418.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (-)-Syringaresinol | 11604108 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1O)OC)C2C3COC(C3CO2)C4=CC(=C(C(=C4)OC)O)OC | 418.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Syringaresinol | 100067 | Click to see | 418.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Syringaresinol, (+)- | 443023 | Click to see | 418.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids | |||||
| 2-Dodecyl-3-Methylbutanedioic Acid | 99891 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCC(C(C)C(=O)O)C(=O)O | 300.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| 3Alpha-Hydroxyurs-12-En-28-Oic Acid | 7163177 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Friedelane | 15559345 | Click to see | 412.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Cycloartanols and derivatives | |||||
| Pholidotin | 13970951 | Click to see | 586.90 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Ergostane steroids / Ergosterols and derivatives | |||||
| Ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one | 6441416 | Click to see CC(C)C(C)C=CC(C)C1CCC2=C3C=CC4=CC(=O)CCC4(C3CCC12C)C | 392.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Oxosteroids / 16-oxosteroids | |||||
| (1R)-1-hydroxy-4,7-dimethoxy-1-(2-oxopropyl)phenanthren-2-one | 163002432 | Click to see | 326.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP060087N |
| (1S)-1,7-dihydroxy-4-methoxy-1-(2-oxopropyl)phenanthren-2-one | 162955161 | Click to see | 312.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP060087N |
| 1-Hydroxy-4,7-dimethoxy-1-(2-oxopropyl)phenanthren-2-one | 11645552 | Click to see CC(=O)CC1(C2=C(C3=C(C=C2)C=C(C=C3)OC)C(=CC1=O)OC)O | 326.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP060087N |
| 1,7-Dihydroxy-4-methoxy-1-(2-oxopropyl)phenanthren-2-one | 11716581 | Click to see | 312.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP060087N |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (-)-beta-Sitosterol | 222284 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 86821 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 414.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Npc29 | 6432744 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sitogluside | 5742590 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C | 576.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Nucleosides, nucleotides, and analogues / Purine nucleosides | |||||
| Adenosine | 60961 | Click to see C1=NC(=C2C(=N1)N(C=N2)C3C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)N | 267.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Alpha amino acids and derivatives | |||||
| L-Pyroglutamic Acid | 7405 | Click to see | 129.11 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Dicarboxylic acids and derivatives | |||||
| (E)-but-2-enedioate;hydron | 21883788 | Click to see [H+].[H+].C(=CC(=O)[O-])C(=O)[O-] | 116.07 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| CID 21952380 | 21952380 | Click to see | 118.09 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Keto acids and derivatives / Gamma-keto acids and derivatives | |||||
| Levulinic Acid | 11579 | Click to see | 116.11 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / O-glycosyl compounds | |||||
| GlyTouCan:G29155XH | 91692850 | Click to see | 342.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| GlyTouCan:G80014NW | 46782954 | Click to see | 342.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sucrose | 5988 | Click to see | 342.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides | |||||
| Bis(4-(glucopyranosyloxy)benzyl) 2-sec-butylmalate | 171638 | Click to see | 726.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Dactylorhin A | 10819499 | Click to see CC(C)CC(CC(=O)OCC1=CC=C(C=C1)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O)(C(=O)OCC3=CC=C(C=C3)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O | 888.90 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Gastrodin | 115067 | Click to see | 286.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Ibotanolide B | 6442827 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1CCO)O)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)COC(=O)C=CC3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)O)O)O | 478.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Loroglossin | 185907 | Click to see | 742.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Vanilloloside | 44577222 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)CO)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O | 316.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Benzaldehydes / Hydroxybenzaldehydes | |||||
| 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde | 126 | Click to see | 122.12 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde-d5 | 10701848 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C=O)O | 127.15 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Furans / Furoic acid and derivatives / Furoic acids | |||||
| 2-Furancarboxylic acid | 6919 | Click to see | 112.08 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Pyrrolizidines | |||||
| 2,3,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-pyrrolizin-1-ylmethyl 2-hydroxy-3-methylpentanoate | 78202315 | Click to see | 255.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP049650X |
| Cremastrine | 656392 | Click to see | 255.35 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP049650X |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / 2-arylbenzofuran flavonoids | |||||
| [(9R,10S)-3-hydroxy-9-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-methoxy-5,6,9,10-tetrahydronaphtho[1,2-f][1]benzofuran-10-yl]methyl acetate | 102097660 | Click to see | 462.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Coumaric acids and derivatives | |||||
| Hexacosyl (E)-ferulate | 5318033 | Click to see | 558.90 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids | |||||
| 4-Coumaric acid | 322 | Click to see | 164.16 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Cis-P-Coumaric Acid | 1549106 | Click to see | 164.16 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Ferulic Acid | 445858 | Click to see | 194.18 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| P-Coumaric Acid | 637542 | Click to see | 164.16 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Biflavonoids and polyflavonoids | |||||
| Amentoflavone | 5281600 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(O2)C(=C(C=C3O)O)C4=C(C=CC(=C4)C5=CC(=O)C6=C(C=C(C=C6O5)O)O)O)O | 538.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Kayaflavone | 9894522 | Click to see | 580.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Quercetin | 5280343 | Click to see | 302.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Genkwanin | 5281617 | Click to see | 284.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Homoisoflavonoids / Homoisoflavans / Homoisoflavanones | |||||
| Cremastranone | 21676260 | Click to see | 346.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Stilbenes | |||||
| batatasin III | 10466989 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1)O)CCC2=CC(=CC=C2)O | 244.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |