Barringtonia racemosa
Barringtonia racemosa, commonly known as the Freshwater Mangrove or Fish Poison Tree, is a distinctive tropical plant. Renowned for its striking pink flower clusters and unique ecological role, it holds significant medicinal value. Traditionally, its various parts are utilized in folk medicine to treat ailments like skin infections and inflammation.
- Scientific name: Barringtonia racemosa
- Family: Lecythidaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ericales, falling within the family Lecythidaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identification is placed within the genus Barringtonia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ericales | WCVP |
| Family | Lecythidaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Barringtonia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions of the African continent and its surrounding islands. In East Tropical Africa, its presence is recorded in both Kenya and Tanzania. Moving further south, it can be found within the coastal areas of Mozambique in South Tropical Africa. The species also extends into the Southern African region, specifically within KwaZulu-Natal. Finally, its range reaches the Western Indian Ocean, where it is documented in the Comoros.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mozambique Channel Is. | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Madagascar | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Seychelles | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Nansei-shoto | WCVP |
Chemicals
Barringtonia racemosa has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include bartogenic acid, gallic acid, 3,3'-dimethoxy ellagic acid, Quercetin 3-O-rutinoside, clerodane diterpenoid.
- Total chemicals
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 15
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| bartogenic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gallic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3,3'-dimethoxy ellagic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Quercetin 3-O-rutinoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| clerodane diterpenoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dihydromyticetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ellagic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| protocatechuic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Barringtonia racemosa has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include acute lymphoblastic leukemia, lipid peroxidation, oxidative damage, oxidative stress.
- Total uses
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| acute lymphoblastic leukemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lipid peroxidation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative damage | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |