Alchornea latifolia
Alchornea latifolia, commonly known as the "alchornea" or "palo de sangre," is a versatile medicinal shrub native to tropical regions. Renowned for its potent bioactive compounds, it is traditionally utilized in folk medicine to treat inflammation, skin ailments, and digestive issues, offering significant potential for modern pharmacological research.
- Scientific name: Alchornea latifolia
- Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales, it is classified under the family Euphorbiaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Alchornea and the species Alchornea latifolia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Euphorbiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Alchornea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Alchornea latiifolia, is known by a variety of common names depending on the region and language. In English, it is frequently referred to as the broad-leaved alchornea, while in Spanish, it is commonly called alchornea or alchornea de hoja ancha. In Portuguese, the species is known as alchornea, and in French, it is referred to as alchornea.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across several distinct regions within the country of Mexico. It can be found growing throughout the central part of Mexico, where it occupies various habitats. Its range also extends into the northeast and the gulf regions of the nation. Furthermore, the species is present in the southwest territories of Mexico. Finally, the geographical presence of this medicinal plant concludes in the southeast region.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Mexico Central | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northeast | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southeast | WCVP |
| Central America | Belize | WCVP |
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | El Salvador | WCVP |
| Central America | Guatemala | WCVP |
| Central America | Honduras | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Alchornea latifolia, is widely recognized in traditional medicine for the therapeutic properties found within its foliage. The leaf is the primary part utilized in various herbal preparations, often being harvested to create infusions, decoctions, or topical applications. These leaves contain bioactive compounds that are believed to contribute to the plant's antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, making them a crucial component in treating various ailments.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Alchornea latifolia has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include epifriedelinol, friedelin, taraxerol, taraxerone.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| epifriedelinol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| friedelin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| taraxerol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| taraxerone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |