Avicennia germinans
Avicennia germinans · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (27 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
, scientifically known as Avicennia germinans, is the black mangrove, a resilient coastal species vital to marine ecosystems. Beyond its ecological role, it holds significant ethnobotanical value. Traditionally, various parts of this plant have been utilized in folk medicine to treat ailments ranging from skin infections to inflammatory conditions.
- Family
- Acanthaceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Leaves
- Common names
- Not available
- Scientific synonyms
- Avicennia Tomentosa · Hilairanthus Nitidus · 22 more
Names
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Mangle Negro
- Mangle Negro
- mangle
- Mangle Salado
- Mangle blanco
- Mangle prieto
- Puyeque
- madre de sal
German:
- Schwarze Mangrove
French:
- bois de mèche
- palétuvier blanc
- palétuvier gris
- palétuvier noir
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Avicennia germinansSynonyms
- Avicennia tomentosa
- Hilairanthus nitidus
- Hilairanthus germinans
- Hilairanthus tomentosus
- Avicennia tomentosa var. campechensis
- Avicennia tomentosa var. cumanensis
- Avicennia tomentosa var. guayaquilensis
- Avicennia officinalis var. lanceolata
- Avicennia officinalis var. nitida
- Avicennia elliptica
- Avicennia elliptica var. martii
- Avicennia africana
- Avicennia floridana
- Avicennia germinans f. aberrans
- Avicennia germinans f. brasiliensis
- Avicennia germinans var. cumanensis
- Avicennia germinans var. guayaquilensis
- Avicennia germinans f. venezuelensis
- Avicennia lamarckiana
- Avicennia meyeri
- Avicennia nitida
- Avicennia nitida var. trinitensis
- Avicennia oblongifolia
- Bontia germinans
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is classified under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Lamiales, falling within the family Acanthaceae. Finally, its taxonomic placement is completed by its designation under the genus Avicennia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Acanthaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Avicennia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant, Avicennia germinans, exhibits a specific geographical distribution throughout the coastal regions of West Tropical Africa. Its presence is documented in the nation of Benin, where it thrives in suitable habitats. Furthermore, it can be found stretching across the western reaches of the continent in Gambia. The species also inhabits the coastal areas of Guinea-Bissau and Ghana. Finally, its range extends into the tropical landscapes of Guinea, marking its presence across these diverse West African territories.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mauritania | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Avicennia germinans, commonly known as the black mangrove, utilizes its specialized leaves to thrive in harsh, saline environments. These leaves are typically thick and leathery, featuring a distinctively smooth, dark green upper surface and a paler underside. To manage high salt concentrations, the leaves possess specialized salt glands that actively excrete excess salt, often leaving visible white crystals on their surface. Beyond salt regulation, the leaves are essential for photosynthesis and serve as a primary source of medicinal compounds used in various traditional applications.| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Avicennia germinans has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin, Flavonoids, betulinic acid.
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Betulin | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| betulinic acid | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Avicennia germinans has 23 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticarcinomic.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anthelmintic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AntiHIV | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticarcinomic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiedemic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifeedant | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiflu | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antileukemic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| extracts | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |