Bersama abyssinica
Bersama abyssinica, commonly known as the Bersama tree, is a versatile medicinal plant native to tropical African forests. Renowned for its bioactive properties, various parts of the plant are utilized in traditional medicine to treat inflammatory conditions, skin ailments, and digestive issues, offering significant potential for modern pharmacological research.
- Scientific name: Bersama abyssinica
- Family: Francoaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Bersama abyssinica, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Geraniales and the family Francoaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by its specific genus, Bersama.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Geraniales | WCVP |
| Family | Francoaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Bersama | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Bersama abyssinica, is recognized by various local names depending on the linguistic and cultural context. In Kinyarwanda, it is known as both Umurogora and Umukaka, while in Amharic, it is referred to as ኣዛምር. In Hausa, the species is commonly called Rahaiwa, and in Arabic, it is identified as بيرساما الحبشه.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| rw | Umurogora | Wikidata |
| am | ኣዛምር | Wikidata |
| ha | Rahaiwa | Wikidata |
| arz | بيرساما الحبشه | Wikidata |
| rw | Umukaka | Wikidata |
| vi | Bersama rosea | Wikidata |
| zh | 娑羽树 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Bersama abyssinicca, exhibits a specific range within the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence has been documented across several distinct nations throughout this part of the continent. Specifically, it can be found growing in the territories of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. The species also extends its distribution into the coastal and inland areas of Guinea and Ivory Coast. Finally, the geographical reach of this medicinal plant includes the country of Liberia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cabinda | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Bersama abyssinica, is a medicinal species where the most significant components utilized for therapeutic purposes are the leaves. Depending on the context of botanical study or traditional preparation, a single leaf may be examined for its chemical properties, though the collective Leaves are typically harvested to extract bioactive compounds. These green structures contain the essential phytochemicals required for the plant's medicinal efficacy.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Bersama abyssinica has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include D-limonene, eucalyptol, flavonoids, glycosides, o-cymene.
- Total chemicals
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| D-limonene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eucalyptol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glycosides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| o-cymene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Bersama abyssinica has 7 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antifungal, Antihyperglycemic.
- Total activities
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperlipidemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Bersama abyssinica has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Diabetes mellitus, diabetes mellitus, diarrhea.
- Total uses
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |