Details Top

Internal ID UUID64403995ebf47005938667
Scientific name Epidendrum rigidum
Authority Jacq.
First published in Enum. Syst. Pl. : 29 (1760)

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.

Caribbean and northern South American herbalists traditionally prepare infusions and decoctions of Epidendrum rigidum for cough, fevers, and sore throats. Among the Kogi and other indigenous groups of northern Colombia, the leaves and aerial stems are used in a mild decoction for respiratory complaints according to Schultes and Raffauf’s classic survey of Amazonian medicinal plants. The Palikur of French Guiana make a leaf infusion to reduce fever, and the Waiwai of Guyana employ a decoction of the whole plant in early respiratory infections, as recorded byPlotkin in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Caribbean informants in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico add leaf infusions to gargles for mouth and throat pain, a practice noted by Howard in useful plants of the Caribbean region.

In many of these communities the plant material is simply simmered or steeped, then strained and taken in small cups. A leaf poultice is also reported among the Garifuna of Belize for topical irritations and minor insect bites, again using the aerial portions, as described by Coon. The uses revolve around the aerial stems and leaves, with roots and flowers not commonly mentioned in the cited sources.

One practical preparation that reflects these traditions is a leaf infusion: place 10 to 15 grams of fresh, washed leaves in a pan, add 500 milliliters of just‑boiled water, cover and steep for 10 minutes, then strain. The liquid is taken warm in half‑cup doses two or three times a day for mild cough or fever. If making a tincture, 20 grams of chopped leaves macerate in 100 milliliters of 50 percent ethanol for three to four weeks, shaking daily, then filter; the result is a 1:5 w/v tincture. Because details of safety and dose for this species are limited, use cautiously, avoid during pregnancy, and stop if irritation or allergy occurs. Do not give to young children unless guided by a knowledgeable practitioner.

Modern chemical work on related Epidendrum orchids reports flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol, phenolic acids like caffeic and ferulic acids, sterols, and alkaloids—compounds that could plausibly underlie the soothing, mild antipyretic effects described in traditional practice. Contemporary botanical surveys still record the plant in local use in parts of Guyana, Colombia, and the Caribbean, while commercial availability remains rare outside regional markets.

General Uses Top

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Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Spathiger rigidus Small Fl. Miami : 55 (1913)
Epidendrum pium Rchb.f. & Warm. Otia Bot. Hamburg. : 92 (1881)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
English stiff flower star orchid

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Northern America
    • Mexico
      • Mexican Pacific Islands
    • Southeastern U.S.A.
      • Florida
  • Southern America
    • Brazil
      • Brazil North
      • Brazil Northeast
      • Brazil South
      • Brazil Southeast
      • Brazil West-central
    • Caribbean
      • Bahamas
      • Cayman Islands
      • Cuba
      • Dominican Republic
      • Haiti
      • Jamaica
      • Leeward Islands
      • Puerto Rico
      • Trinidad-Tobago
      • Venezuelan Antilles
      • Windward Islands
    • Central America
      • Costa Rica
      • Honduras
      • Panamá
    • Northern South America
      • French Guiana
      • Guyana
      • Suriname
      • Venezuela
    • Southern South America
      • Argentina Northeast
      • Argentina Northwest
      • Paraguay
    • Western South America
      • Bolivia
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador
      • Peru

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000951265
Florida Plant Atlas 2879
USDA Plants EPRI2
Tropicos 23503471
INPN 629646
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:92112-2
The Plant List kew-69443
Open Tree Of Life 988770
NCBI Taxonomy 426896
Nature Serve 2.144989
IPNI 92112-2
iNaturalist 162356
GBIF 5319715
Freebase /m/06w8qxt
EOL 1097562
Wikipedia Epidendrum_rigidum
CMAUP NPO23721

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)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
Vascular Plant Species Inventory of Mexico’s Revillagigedo National Park: Awareness of Alien Invaders as a Sine Qua Non Prerequisite for Island Conservation Domínguez-Meneses A, Martínez-Gómez JE, Mejía-Saulés T, Acosta-Rosado I, Stadler S Plants (Basel) 30-Sep-2023
PMCID:PMC10575041
doi:10.3390/plants12193455
PMID:37836194
The Transcriptome Profiling of Flavonoids and Bibenzyls Reveals Medicinal Importance of Rare Orchid Arundina graminifolia Ahmad S, Gao J, Wei Y, Lu C, Zhu G, Yang F Front Plant Sci 23-Jun-2022
PMCID:PMC9260279
doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.923000
PMID:35812923
In Vitro Symbiotic Germination: A Revitalized Heuristic Approach for Orchid Species Conservation Pujasatria GC, Miura C, Kaminaka H Plants (Basel) 09-Dec-2020
PMCID:PMC7763479
doi:10.3390/plants9121742
PMID:33317200
Bibenzyls and bisbybenzyls of bryophytic origin as promising source of novel therapeutics: pharmacology, synthesis and structure-activity Nandy S, Dey A Daru 15-Aug-2020
PMCID:PMC7429097
doi:10.1007/s40199-020-00341-0
PMID:32803687
Diversity of mycorrhizal Tulasnella associated with epiphytic and rupicolous orchids from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, including four new species Freitas EF, da Silva M, Cruz ED, Mangaravite E, Bocayuva MF, Veloso TG, Selosse MA, Kasuya MC Sci Rep 27-Apr-2020
PMCID:PMC7184742
doi:10.1038/s41598-020-63885-w
PMID:32341376
Vascular Epiphytic Medicinal Plants as Sources of Therapeutic Agents: Their Ethnopharmacological Uses, Chemical Composition, and Biological Activities Nugraha AS, Triatmoko B, Wangchuk P, Keller PA Biomolecules 24-Jan-2020
PMCID:PMC7072150
doi:10.3390/biom10020181
PMID:31991657
Exploring molecular evolution of Rubisco in C3 and CAM Orchidaceae and Bromeliaceae Hermida-Carrera C, Fares MA, Font-Carrascosa M, Kapralov MV, Koch MA, Mir A, Molins A, Ribas-Carbó M, Rocha J, Galmés J BMC Evol Biol 22-Jan-2020
PMCID:PMC6977233
doi:10.1186/s12862-019-1551-8
PMID:31969115
Nectar-Secreting and Nectarless Epidendrum: Structure of the Inner Floral Spur Stpiczyńska M, Kamińska M, Davies KL, Pansarin ER Front Plant Sci 20-Jun-2018
PMCID:PMC6019460
doi:10.3389/fpls.2018.00840
PMID:29973945
DNA Remodeling by Strict Partial Endoreplication in Orchids, an Original Process in the Plant Kingdom Brown SC, Bourge M, Maunoury N, Wong M, Wolfe Bianchi M, Lepers-Andrzejewski S, Besse P, Siljak-Yakovlev S, Dron M, Satiat-Jeunemaître B Genome Biol Evol 01-Apr-2017
PMCID:PMC5546068
doi:10.1093/gbe/evx063
PMID:28419219
Phytotoxic activity of bibenzyl derivatives from the orchid Epidendrum rigidum. Hernández-Romero Y, Acevedo L, Sánchez Mde L, Shier WT, Abbas HK, Mata R J Agric Food Chem 10-Aug-2005
doi:10.1021/JF0508044
PMID:16076106

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 / Phenanthrenes and derivatives / Hydrophenanthrenes
Ephemeranthol A 44445444 Click to see 272.29 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0508044
> Benzenoids / Phenanthrenes and derivatives / Phenanthrols
Fimbriol A 11335575 Click to see COC1=CC2=CC(=C(C(=C2C3=C1C=CC=C3O)OC)OC)O 300.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0508044
> Hydrocarbons / Saturated hydrocarbons / Alkanes
Hentriacontane 12410 Click to see 436.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids / Colensane and clerodane diterpenoids
(1R,3R,4R,4aS,8S,8aR)-4-[2-(furan-3-yl)ethyl]-8-(hydroxymethyl)-3,4a,8-trimethyl-2,3,5,6,7,8a-hexahydro-1H-naphthalene-1,4-diol 38350347 Click to see 336.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Marrubenol 10449689 Click to see 336.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Cycloartanols and derivatives
(24R)-24-methylcycloart-25-en-3beta-ol 5460418 Click to see 440.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0508044
7,7,12,16-Tetramethyl-15-(5,5,6-trimethylhept-6-en-2-yl)pentacyclo[9.7.0.01,3.03,8.012,16]octadecan-6-ol 14830937 Click to see 454.80 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0508044
9,19-Cyclolanost-25-en-3-ol, 24-methyl-, (3beta,24S)- 550205 Click to see 440.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0508044
Cycloneolitsol 101306728 Click to see CC(CCC(C)(C)C(=C)C)C1CCC2(C1(CCC34C2CCC5C3(C4)CCC(C5(C)C)O)C)C 454.80 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0508044
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Alpha amino acids and derivatives / Proline and derivatives
Betonicine 164642 Click to see 159.18 unknown via CMAUP database
L-Turicine 1550239 Click to see 159.18 unknown via CMAUP database
Turicine 6560290 Click to see C[N+]1(CC(CC1C(=O)[O-])O)C 159.18 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Oligosaccharides
Forsythoside B 23928102 Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(OC(C2OC(=O)C=CC3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)COC4C(C(CO4)(CO)O)O)OCCC5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)O)O)O)O 756.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Lactones / Gamma butyrolactones
(1R,4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-9-[2-(furan-3-yl)ethyl]-9-hydroxy-4,8,10-trimethyl-2-oxatricyclo[6.3.1.04,12]dodecan-3-one 25728881 Click to see CC1CC2C3C(CCCC3(C1(CCC4=COC=C4)O)C)(C(=O)O2)C 332.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(2'R,2''aS,5''aS,6''R,7''R,8''aR,8''bR)-3',3'',4',4'',5'',5''a,7'',8'',8''a,8''b-Decahydro-2''a,5''a,7''-trimethyldispiro(furan-3(2H),2'(5'H)-furan-5',6''-(6H)naphtho(1,8-bc)furan)-2''(2''aH)-one 168199 Click to see 332.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Marrubiin 73401 Click to see 332.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Coumaric acids and derivatives
[(2R,3R,4R,5R,6R)-6-[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethoxy]-5-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4-[(2R,3S,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-3-yl] (E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate 44429837 Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(OC(C2OC(=O)C=CC3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)CO)OCCC4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)O)O)O)O)O 624.60 unknown via CMAUP database
Phaselic acid, (-)- 92299542 Click to see 296.23 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones
Apigenin 5280443 Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O 270.24 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0508044
Luteolin 5280445 Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O)O 286.24 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid C-glycosides
5,7-Dihydroxy-2-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-6-(3,4,5-Trihydroxy-6-(Hydroxymethyl)Oxan-2-Yl)Chromen-4-One 4475102 Click to see 432.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0508044
Isovitexin 162350 Click to see 432.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0508044
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid C-glycosides / Flavonoid 8-C-glycosides
5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-8-[(2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]chromen-4-one 5378180 Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(O2)C(=C(C=C3O)O)C4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O 432.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0508044
Vicenin 2 442664 Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C(=C3O2)C4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)C5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)O)O 594.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Vitexin 5280441 Click to see 432.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0508044
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glucuronides / Flavonoid-7-O-glucuronides
Luteolin 7-glucuronide 5280601 Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)C(=O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O 462.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides
Apigenin 7-O-glucoside 5280704 Click to see 432.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Apigenin-7-O-(6''-O-4-coumaroyl)-beta-glucopyranoside 6439941 Click to see 578.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Luteolin 7-O-glucoside 5280637 Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O)O 448.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids
Ladanein 3084066 Click to see 314.29 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Stilbenes
3,3',5-Trihydroxybibenzyl 21574990 Click to see C1=CC(=CC(=C1)O)CCC2=CC(=CC(=C2)O)O 230.26 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0508044
3'-O-Methylbatatasin Iii 442711 Click to see 258.31 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0508044
4-[2-(3,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-2-methoxyphenol 44575594 Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1)CCC2=CC(=C(C=C2)O)OC)OC 288.34 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0508044
batatasin III 10466989 Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1)O)CCC2=CC(=CC=C2)O 244.28 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0508044
Benzene, 4-(2-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl)-1,2-dimethoxy- 14079759 Click to see 302.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0508044
Dihydroresveratrol 185914 Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1CCC2=CC(=CC(=C2)O)O)O 230.26 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0508044
Phenol, 3-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-5-methoxy- 10014709 Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1)O)CCC2=CC=C(C=C2)O 244.28 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0508044
Phenol, 4-[2-(3-hydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-2-methoxy- 10221179 Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1)O)CCC2=CC(=C(C=C2)O)OC 274.31 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/JF0508044

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