Gastrodia elata
| Gastrodia elata | |
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| Fukushima pref., Japan | |
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| Species: | G. elata
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| Gastrodia elata | |
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Gastrodia elata is a saprophytic perrenial herb of the Orchidaceae family. It is found in Nepal, Bhutan, India, Japan (Hokkaido, Honshu, four countries, Nine Provinces [1]), North Korean, Siberia, Taiwan as well as mainland China (Jilin, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Shanxi, Shanxi, Gansu, Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Henan, Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, and Tibet) grow at elevations of 400-3200 meters at the edge of forest.[2]
The herb is used in Traditional Chinese medicine and Sichuan cuisine. Medicinally, it is used for 'calming the liver'and for treating headaches, dizziness, tetanus, and epilepsy.[3] According to "Nutrition Review," "Gastrodia root has been shown to exert novel pain relief and inflammatory-mediating activities, as well as in vivo and in vitro inhibitory activity on nitric oxide (NO) production." [4]
Although these plants are used extensively in Chinese Herbal Medicine and do possess measurable health benefits, the plants should not be disturbed or removed from habitat and a large number of species in this genus are critically endangered. Many species of native orchids in China are now extinct in these countries due to poaching for Chinese herbal remedies as well as the cut flower trade, most notably native varieties of Cypripedium which once were common in China. Many members of this genus are listed on CITES as endangered and are protected in many locales. [5]
Characteristics
The plant has a 8-12 centimeters long elliptical underground rhizome with a diameter of 3-5 centimeters but may grow up to 7 centimeters. The stem is erect with a height of 0.3-1 meter up to 2 meters, the orange yellow, tan, cylinder, and leafless.
The flowered pale olivine or the orange red, the scape is length 5-30 centimeters, longest may be 50 centimeters. Floral Bractsare long lanceolate, length 1-1.5 centimeters; Pedicel and ovary of branch 0.7-1.2 centimeter, slightly short in colored bract; The sepal and the petal produce a slanting pot shape perianth tube, the perianth tube long the approximately 1 centimeter, the diameter 5-7 millimeters, The labellum white, circular, with a length of 6-7 millimeters and width of 3-4 millimeters, the tip 3 cracks, the base pastes the tight pistil column full terminal, has a pair of pulp callus, in the callus connection perianth tube. The pistil column length 5-7 millimeters, have the short pistil column foot.[6]
Capsule each approximately 30, oval or but actually oval, length 1.2-1.8 centimeters, width 8-9 millimeters. The seed are most, 2 - 40,000 grains of each fruit, minimum, powdery. Flowering season June to July, fruit time July to August. [7]
Growth
Gastrodia elata is an epiparasite that grows in symbiosis with the fungus Armillaria mellea on rotting wood, depending on the hypha of the fungus to invade the root system so that the plant can absorbs the nutrition. Since its fungal symbiont is a virulent plant pathogen, this orchid species is much more common and widespread due to Armillaria mellea targeting a very broad range of tree species as hosts.
Armillaria mellea is a virulent parasite of Western Oak tree species in North America, not only feeding on decomposing wood, but also parasitizing the roots of living trees. Most trees attacked by this fungus do not survive. Armillaria mellea is a plant pathogen and a species of Honey fungus. It causes Armillaria root rot in many plant species. The mushrooms are edible but some people may be intolerant to them.[8] The fungus produces mushrooms around the base of trees it has infected. As the fungus causes root rot, symptoms also appear in the crowns of infected trees as death and dieback of the branches.[9] This species is capable of producing light via bioluminiscence.[10]
Chemical properties
4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde and gastrodin can be found in the orchid G. elata[11].
References
- ^ 芦笛 (2009). "天麻、赤箭、徐长卿、鬼督邮名实考". 中医文献杂志 (in Chinese (China)). 27 (4). ISSN 1006-4737. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
- ^ 昆明植物研究所. "天麻". 《中国高等植物数据库全库》 (in Chinese (China)). 中国科学院微生物研究所. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
- ^ Chung-Fen Tsaia, 1, Chuen-Lin Huangb, c, 1, Yun-Lian Lind, Yi-Chao Leee, Ying-Chen Yangf, Nai-Kuei Huangd, g, , "The neuroprotective effects of an extract of Gastrodia elata",Journal of Ethnopharmacology Volume 138, Issue 1, 31 October 2011, Pages 119-125
- ^ Jim English (2010). "Traditional Chinese Herbs for Arthritis". Nutrition Review. 5 (2). Retrieved 2011-12-29.
- ^ Cheek, M. & Cable, S. 2000. Gastrodia africana. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 21 August 2007.
- ^ 芦笛 (2009). "天麻、赤箭、徐长卿、鬼督邮名实考". 中医文献杂志 (in Chinese (China)). 27 (4). ISSN 1006-4737. Retrieved 2010-01-25.
- ^ 陈心启、吉占和、郎楷永 等, ed. (1999). 中国植物志 第18卷 (PDF) (in Chinese (China)). 北京: 科学出版社. pp. 31－33. ISBN 9787030073228. Retrieved 2010年1月24日.
{{cite book}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Mushroom Expert - Armillaria mellea
- ^ Forest Insect & Disease Leaflet 78 U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service - Armillaria Root Disease
- ^ FOXFIRE: Bioluminescence in the Forest
- ^ 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde from Gastrodia elata B1. is active in the antioxidation and GABAergic neuromodulation of the rat brain. Jeoung-Hee Ha, Dong-Ung Lee, Jae-Tae Lee, Jin-Sook Kim, Chul-Soon Yong, Jung-Ae Kim, Jung-Sang Ha and Keun- Huh, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 73, Issues 1-2, November 2000, Pages 329-333, doi:10.1016/S0378-8741(00)00313-5
- China Plant Specialist Group 2004. Gastrodia elata. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 21 August 2007.
External links
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