Astropanax barteri

Astropanax barteri, commonly known as a species of ginseng, is a medicinal plant valued for its potent adaptogenic properties. Found in specific forest ecosystems, it is traditionally utilized in herbal medicine to enhance vitality, reduce stress, and support immune function, offering significant therapeutic potential in holistic wellness practices.

  • Scientific name: Astropanax barteri
  • Family: Araliaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Apiales and the family Araliaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Astropanax and the specific species Astropanax barteri.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Apiales WCVP
Family Araliaceae WCVP
Genus Astropanax WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Astropanax barteri, is known by various names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Chinese (zh), it is commonly referred to as 刺五加 (cì wǔ jiā), while in English (en), it is often identified as prickly ginseng.
Language Common Name Source

Distribution

This plant is native to the West Tropical Africa region. Its specific geographical distribution spans several different countries within this area. For instance, it can be found growing in Gambia and Guinea. The species also inhabits the territories of Ivory Coast and Liberia. Finally, its range extends further east into Nigeria.

Region Area Source
West Tropical Africa Gambia WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ivory Coast WCVP
West Tropical Africa Liberia WCVP
West Tropical Africa Nigeria WCVP
West Tropical Africa Sierra Leone WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Burundi WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Cameroon WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Congo WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Equatorial Guinea WCVP