Blakea parasitica
Blakea parasitica, commonly known as the parasitic flamevine, is a striking tropical climber native to Central and South America. Characterized by its vibrant orange flowers, this hemiparasitic plant survives by attaching to host roots. Beyond its ornamental beauty, it holds significant ethnobotanical value in traditional medicinal practices across regions.
- Scientific name: Blakea parasitica
- Family: Melastomataceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered as Myrtalees and placed in the family Melastomataceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Blakea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Myrtales | WCVP |
| Family | Melastomataceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Blakea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Blakea parasiticica, is known by various regional names depending on the linguistic context of its habitat. In English, it is commonly referred to as the parasitic blakea, while in Spanish, it is known as muerdagallo or muerdagallo de monte. In Portuguese, the species is identified as muerdagallo, and in certain local dialects, it may also be called blakea.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution across parts of Central and South America. Within Central America, its range includes the countries of Costa Rica and Panamá. Moving into Northern South America, it can be found growing in Venezuela. The species also extends its presence into the Guianas, specifically occupying Guyana and French Guiana. Together, these regions define the primary geographical footprint of Blakea parasitica.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | Panamá | WCVP |
| Northern South America | French Guiana | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Guyana | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Venezuela | WCVP |
| Western South America | Colombia | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil North | WCVP |
Activities
Blakea parasitica has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimalarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |