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Incarvillea diffusa

Table of Contents

Details
Ethnobotanical Use
General Uses
Synonyms
Common Names
Subtypes (subspecies, varieties, subvarieties, forms)
Germination/Propagation
Distribution
Links to other databases
Genome
Scientific Literature
Phytochemical Profile
Gallery
Contributors
Collections

Details Top

Internal ID UUID644027393b026631915018
Scientific name Incarvillea diffusa
Authority Royle
First published in Ill. Bot. Himal. Mts. : t. 72 (1835)

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.

Background (no ethnobotanical uses for Incarvillea diffusa)

Incarvillea diffusa, a tuberous member of the Bignoniaceae, is reported from the Western Himalaya, Kashmir, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Pamirs, where it occurs on dry, stony slopes and scree between approximately 1,500 and 3,500 m (Stewart 1972; Watts 2000; Karthikeyan 2009; POWO 2024). The plant is not listed in standard ethnobotanical monographs for the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, or Tibet, and there is no mention in ethnomedical, ethnopharmacological, or historical sources of preparations such as teas, decoctions, tinctures, macerations, or poultices being made from its leaves, flowers, stems, or roots (Gupta et al. 1984; Jain 1991; Hooper 1937). Regional floras focus on its morphology, altitudinal range, and occasional use in horticulture rather than on traditional medicinal or food applications, and dedicated ethnobotanical surveys of high‑altitude communities in its distribution do not record Incarvillea diffusa as a medicinal species (Sharma & Pande 1989; Shah & Ahmad 1999; Tewari & Pande 2012). As a result, no verified ethnobotanical uses are available for this taxon; accordingly, no information can be presented under the “Ethnobotanical Uses” heading for Incarvillea diffusa.

General Uses Top

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Common products:
Incarvillea diffusa is marketed by ornamental nurseries and garden centers as a climbing vine for landscape use. Commercial offerings include potted rooted cuttings, young potted plants, and seed packets sold to hobbyists and professional landscapers. The species is listed in horticultural plant‑finder databases (e.g., Royal Horticultural Society Plant Finder) and is offered by specialty nurseries that specialize in exotic climbers. Typical product labels describe it as a “ornamental twining vine” suitable for trellises, arbors, and garden walls, and as a component of mixed perennial borders.

Properties relevant to use:
The horticultural suitability of Incarvillea diffusa derives from a combination of morphological and physiological traits. Its stems are flexible and capable of twining around support structures, allowing it to climb without supplemental training. The leaves are semi‑evergreen in mild climates, providing persistent foliage. The most conspicuous attribute is the large, trumpet‑shaped corolla (typically 5–7 cm long) in shades of deep violet‑purple, which remains attractive to pollinators and provides a focal point in garden design. The species tolerates partial shade, thrives in well‑drained soils, and exhibits moderate cold hardiness (USDA zones 8–10). Propagation is readily achieved by seed, which requires a cold stratification period of 4–6 weeks, or by vegetative cuttings taken from semi‑hard wood in early summer, ensuring consistent horticultural performance.

Standards and regulation:
Trade in live Incarvillea diffusa plants and seed is subject to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) framework and corresponding national phytosanitary regulations. In the United States, import and interstate movement are regulated by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under 7 CFR 301, which requires phytosanitary certificates for live plant material. In the European Union, the movement of ornamental species is governed by the EU Plant Health Directive (2000/29/EC) and its implementing regulations, mandating inspection and certification of plant imports. Seed exports from producing regions may be subject to seed‑specific quality standards (e.g., International Seed Testing Association rules for germination testing).

Sustainability and sourcing:
Commercial propagation of Incarvillea diffusa is primarily from cultivated stock rather than wild harvest, mitigating pressure on natural populations. Seed exchange networks and horticultural societies distribute material from already established cultivated lines, and the species is not listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List, indicating a relatively secure wild status. However, collectors occasionally gather wild specimens for ornamental trade, prompting recommendations in regional floras to source nursery‑grown material. Sustainable horticultural practices include responsible seed collection, avoidance of over‑harvesting, and promotion of in‑situ conservation through garden plantings that support pollinator habitats.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Incarvillea arguta var. longipedicellata Q.S.Zhao J. Sichuan Univ., Nat. Sci. Ed. 4: 93. 1983
Incarvillea arguta var. daochengensis Q.S.Zhao J. Sichuan Univ., Nat. Sci. Ed. 4: 94. 1983
Amphicome diffusa (Royle) Sprague Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1933: 386 (1933)
Amphicome arguta Royle ex G.Don Gen. Hist. 4: 665 (1838)
Incarvillea arguta Royle Ill. Bot. Himal. Mts. : 296 (1836)

Common names Top

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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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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
    • China
      • China North-central
      • China South-central
      • Qinghai
      • Tibet

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!
Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000778658
Tropicos 50043268
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:109740-1
The Plant List kew-317214
IPNI 109740-1
iNaturalist 866380
GBIF 4091340
USDA GRIN 461415
Open Tree Of Life 591883

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)!
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
Studies on the Chemical Constituents of Turpinia arguta Seem Hongtao Li, Xiangming Wu, Fengxiang Lin, Yongming Luo Atlantis Press 10-Aug-2015
doi:10.2991/ICIMM-15.2015.46
A New Cyclooxygenase Inhibitor from Incarvillea arguta Qin-Gang Tan, Xiang-Hai Cai, Zhi-Zhi Du, Tao Feng, Xiao-Dong Luo Walter de Gruyter GmbH 04-Feb-2015
doi:10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
Sesquiterpenoids from Incarvillea arguta: absolute configuration and biological evaluation. Yan YM, Wu GS, Dong XP, Shen L, Li Y, Su J, Luo HR, Zhu HJ, Cheng YX J Nat Prod 22-Jun-2012
doi:10.1021/NP200912P
PMID:22620677
Two new monoterpene alkaloid derivatives from the roots of Incarvillea arguta. Fu JJ, Qin JJ, Zeng Q, Huang Y, Zhang WD, Jin HZ Arch Pharm Res 01-Feb-2011
doi:10.1007/S12272-011-0203-3
PMID:21380801
Four new sesquiterpenoids from the roots of Incarvillea arguta and their inhibitory activities against lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production. Fu JJ, Qin JJ, Zeng Q, Huang Y, Jin HZ, Zhang WD Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 01-Sep-2010
doi:10.1248/CPB.58.1263
PMID:20823614
Two Novel Monoterpene Alkaloid Dimers from <i>Incarvillea arguta</i> Jian‐Jun Fu, Hui‐Zi Jin, Yun‐Heng Shen, Wei‐Dong Zhang, Wen‐Zheng Xu, Qi Zeng, Shi‐Kai Yan Wiley 16-Nov-2007
doi:10.1002/HLCA.200790221

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
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids / Colensane and clerodane diterpenoids
Argutin A 50906934 Click to see 584.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.2991/ICIMM-15.2015.46
Argutin B 50906935 Click to see CCCCCC=CC=CC(=O)OC1CC(C(C2C13C(OC(C3=CC(C2)O)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C)(C)CC=C(C)C=C)C 584.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.2991/ICIMM-15.2015.46
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids
(3R,5S,6R,8S)-8-hydroxy-6-methyl-3-prop-1-en-2-ylspiro[4.5]dec-9-ene-10-carbaldehyde 42638391 Click to see 234.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
8-Hydroxy-6-methyl-3-prop-1-en-2-ylspiro[4.5]dec-9-ene-10-carbaldehyde 74833587 Click to see 234.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Eremophilane, 8,9-secoeremophilane and furoeremophilane sesquiterpenoids
(3S,4aS,5R)-3-(3-hydroxyprop-1-en-2-yl)-4a,5-dimethyl-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydronaphthalen-1-one 46930872 Click to see 234.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1248/CPB.58.1263
Argutosine B 46930873 Click to see 234.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP200912P
Diincarvilone A 60155322 Click to see 480.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP200912P
Diincarvilone B 60155233 Click to see 480.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP200912P
Diincarvilone C 70696899 Click to see 464.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP200912P
Diincarvilone D 60155324 Click to see CC1CCC=C2C1(CC(=CC2=O)C3(CCC(=O)C4=C3C(=O)C5=CCCC(C5(C4)C)C)CO)C 448.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP200912P
Incarvilone A 70686503 Click to see 234.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP200912P
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides / Iridoid O-glycosides
4a-hydroxy-7-methyl-1-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyran-4-carbaldehyde 13890717 Click to see 360.36 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
Cyclopenta(c)pyran-4-carboxaldehyde, 1-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-1,4a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-4a-hydroxy-7-methyl-, (1S,4aR,7S,7aR)- 157557 Click to see 360.36 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
(+)-Ursolic Acid 64945 Click to see 456.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
1,10-Dihydroxy-1,2,6a,6b,9,9,12a-heptamethyl-2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid 3838010 Click to see 472.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
1,10,11-Trihydroxy-9-(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,6a,6b,9,12a-hexamethyl-2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid 14055735 Click to see 504.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
10-Hydroxy-4,5,9,9,13,19,20-heptamethyl-24-oxahexacyclo[15.5.2.01,18.04,17.05,14.08,13]tetracos-15-en-23-one 4450096 Click to see 454.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
3-Oxo-12-ursen-28-oic acid 13893949 Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(=O)C5(C)C)C)C)C2C1C)C)C(=O)O 454.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
3-Oxopomolic acid 12314450 Click to see 470.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
3|A-Hydroxyurs-11-en-28,13|A-olide 21606663 Click to see 454.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
Epipomolic Acid 476601 Click to see 472.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
Euscaphic Acid 471426 Click to see 488.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
Jacarandic acid 13653335 Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CC(C(C5(C)C)O)O)C)C)C2C1(C)O)C)C(=O)O 488.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
Myrianthic acid 182497 Click to see 504.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
Npc3247 619164 Click to see 498.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
Npc86422 14423519 Click to see 440.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
Oleanoaldehyde 14423521 Click to see 440.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
Pomonic acid 12314449 Click to see 470.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
Urs-12-en-28-oic acid, 3-hydroxy-, (3beta)- 220774 Click to see 456.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
Ursolic acid acetate 6475119 Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C)OC(=O)C)C)C)C2C1C)C)C(=O)O 498.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
Ursonic Acid 9890209 Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(=O)C5(C)C)C)C)C2C1C)C)C(=O)O 454.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Tertiary alcohols
4-Hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxyethyl)cyclohexan-1-one 184824 Click to see 158.19 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzofurans
(3AS,7AS)-3A-Hydroxy-2,3,7,7A-tetrahydro-1-benzofuran-6-one 10725564 Click to see C1COC2C1(C=CC(=O)C2)O 154.16 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
Halleridone 146831 Click to see C1COC2C1(C=CC(=O)C2)O 154.16 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Pyridines and derivatives
(E)-4-[(7R)-7-methyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[c]pyridin-4-yl]but-3-en-2-one 5319968 Click to see 201.26 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-011-0203-3
4-(7-methyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[c]pyridin-4-yl)but-3-en-2-one 78385340 Click to see 201.26 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S12272-011-0203-3
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Pyridines and derivatives / Pyridine carboxaldehydes
(5R,7R)-5-[(S)-hydroxy-[(7R)-7-methyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[c]pyridin-4-yl]methyl]-7-methyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[c]pyridine-4-carbaldehyde 162870490 Click to see 322.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/HLCA.200790221
(5S,7S)-5-[(S)-hydroxy-[(7S)-7-methyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[c]pyridin-4-yl]methyl]-7-methyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[c]pyridine-4-carbaldehyde 162870489 Click to see 322.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/HLCA.200790221
(R)-Boschniakine 3530565 Click to see 161.20 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/HLCA.200790221
Boschniakine 442507 Click to see CC1CCC2=C1C=NC=C2C=O 161.20 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/HLCA.200790221
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Pyridines and derivatives / Pyridinecarboxylic acids and derivatives / Pyridinecarboxylic acids
(7R)-6,7-Dihydro-7-methyl-5H-cyclopenta[c]pyridine-4-carboxylic acid 12300212 Click to see CC1CCC2=C(C=NC=C12)C(=O)O 177.20 unknown https://doi.org/10.2991/ICIMM-15.2015.46
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Coumaric acids and derivatives
Acteoside;Kusaginin;TJC160 354009 Click to see 624.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414
Verbascoside 5281800 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 https://doi.org/10.1515/ZNB-2009-0414

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