Alternanthera littoralis
Alternanthera littoralis, commonly known as Rock Knotweed, is a versatile perennial plant cherished for its striking ornamental foliage. While primarily used in landscaping for its vibrant hues, it holds significant place in traditional herbal practices. This resilient species thrives in diverse environments, offering both aesthetic beauty and botanical interest.
- Scientific name: Alternanthera littoralis
- Family: Amaranthaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Caryophyllales and the family Amaranthaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Alternanthera.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Amaranthaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Alternanthera | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several continents. In Southeastern Europe, its presence can be specifically noted in Sicilia. Moving toward West Tropical Africa, the species is widely distributed across multiple nations. It is found within the territories of Benin, Gambia, and Ghana. Additionally, its range extends further into the West Tropical African region to include Guinea-Bissau.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Europe | Sicilia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mauritania | WCVP |
Activities
Alternanthera littoralis has 5 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antioxidant, Antiprotozoal.
- Total activities
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiprotozoal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Alternanthera littoralis has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antioxidant, arthritis, parasitic diseases, pleurisy.
- Total uses
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| parasitic diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pleurisy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |