Atalantia buxifolia

Atalantia buxifolia, commonly known as the Boxwood Atalantia, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to tropical regions. Valued in traditional ethnobotany, its leaves and fruits possess significant bioactive properties. Research highlights its potential antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, offering promising therapeutic applications in developing natural treatments for various ailments.

  • Scientific name: Atalantia buxifolia
  • Family: Rutaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Atalantia buxifolia, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Sapindales. Finally, it is a member of the family Rutaceae and is categorized under the genus Atalantia.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Sapindales WCVP
Family Rutaceae WCVP
Genus Atalantia WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Atalantia buxifolia, is known by several different common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Chinese, it is referred to by the names 酒饼簕 and 乌柑. Specifically, the names used in mainland China (zh-cn), Taiwan (zh-tw), and simplified Chinese (zh-hans) are all recorded as 酒饼簕 or 酒餅簕, respectively.
Language Common Name Source
zh 酒饼簕 Wikidata
zh-cn 酒饼簕 Wikidata
zh-tw 酒餅簕 Wikidata
zh-hans 酒饼簕 Wikidata
zh 乌柑 Wikidata
zh 狗骨簕 Wikidata
zh 雷公簕 Wikidata
zh 蠔壳刺 Wikidata
zh 山柑仔 Wikidata
zh 梅橘 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across various regions of East and Southeast Asia. In China, its presence is documented in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan provinces. The species also extends its range to the island of Taiwan within Eastern Asia. Additionally, the plant can be found in the Indo-China region, specifically in Laos. Together, these locations define its specific ecological footprint across the continent.

Region Area Source
China China South-Central WCVP
China Hainan WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
Eastern Asia Taiwan WCVP
Indo-China Laos WCVP
Indo-China Vietnam WCVP
Malesia Philippines WCVP
Southeastern U.S.A. Florida WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Atalantia buxifolia, offers various components that are utilized in traditional medicinal practices. The medicinal properties are often derived from the root bark, which is harvested with care to ensure potency. Additionally, the rhizomes serve as a significant part of the plant's therapeutic profile, containing essential bioactive compounds. For long-term storage and standardized dosing, the dried root is frequently employed, providing a stable form of the plant material for various herbal preparations.
Total parts
3
Scientific sources
4
Plant Part Sources Confidence
root bark 2 ★☆☆☆☆
rhizomes 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dried root 1 ★☆☆☆☆