Averrhoa bilimbi
Averrhoa bilimbi, commonly known as bilimbi or cucumber tree, is a tropical evergreen shrub prized for its small, acidic green fruits. Rich in vitamin C, it is widely used in culinary dishes and traditional medicine to treat ailments ranging from skin infections to digestive issues and inflammatory conditions.
- Scientific name: Averrhoa bilimbi
- Family: Oxalidaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Averrhoa bilimbi, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Oxalidales and the family Oxalidaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in the genus Averrhoa.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Oxalidales | WCVP |
| Family | Oxalidaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Averrhoa | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution stretching across several tropical and subtropical regions. Within the Western Indian Ocean, it can be found in both the Chagos Archipelago and the Comoros. Moving toward the Asian continent, its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically in Assam. The species is also widely distributed in Eastern Asia, with documented locations in Taiwan. Finally, it inhabits parts of China, specifically in the China Southeast region.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western Indian Ocean | Chagos Archipelago | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
Chemicals
Averrhoa bilimbi has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ascorbic acid, carotenoids, chlorophyll, flavonoid, niacin.
- Total chemicals
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| ascorbic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| carotenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chlorophyll | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| niacin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| riboflavin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Averrhoa bilimbi has 9 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Hypolipidemic, Antidiabetic, Antihypertensive, Antimicrobial.
- Total activities
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypolipidemic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypoglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypotriglyceridemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Thrombolytic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Averrhoa bilimbi has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include blood glucose, diabetes mellitus, head lice, hyperglycemia, lipids.
- Total uses
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| blood glucose | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| head lice | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperglycemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lipids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |