Burkea africana
Wild seringa
Burkea africana, commonly known as the Wild Syringa, is a resilient deciduous tree native to Southern and East Africa. Renowned for its medicinal properties, various parts of the plant are used in traditional healing to treat ailments ranging from skin infections to digestive issues, showcasing its significant ethnobotanical value.
- Scientific name: Burkea africana
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Fabales, and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Burkea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Burkea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Burkea africanica, is known by various names across different linguistic and cultural landscapes. In Arabic, it is referred to as بوركية أفريقية, while in Hebrew, the name used is לילך פראי. Within specific regional contexts, it is called Kokobi in Sesotho (ff), Bɛnzaŋa in Dagbani (dag), and Siri in Bambara (bm).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ar | بوركية أفريقية | Wikidata |
| he | לילך פראי | Wikidata |
| ff | Kokobi | Wikidata |
| dag | Bɛnzaŋa | Wikidata |
| bm | Siri | Wikidata |
| arz | بوركيه افريقيه | Wikidata |
| af | Rooisering | Wikidata |
| af | Wildesering | Wikidata |
| en | Wild seringa | Wikidata |
| ig | Wild seringa | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across several regions within West Tropical Africa. It can be found growing in the nation of Benin, contributing to the local flora. The species also has a presence in Burkina, extending its reach across the savanna landscapes. In addition to these areas, the plant is documented in Ghana and Guinea. Finally, its geographical range continues into the Ivory Coast, completing its distribution pattern in this part of the continent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Niger | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Burkea africana, possesses various components that are utilized for their therapeutic properties in traditional medicine. The stem bark is frequently harvested and employed in decoctions to treat various ailments, including skin conditions and digestive issues. Additionally, leaf extracts are prepared to harness the plant's bioactive compounds, often serving as a remedy for inflammation or as a tonic to support overall health.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf extracts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Burkea africana has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include caffeic acid, catechin, epicatechin, fisetinidol, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| caffeic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| catechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epicatechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fisetinidol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| proanthocyanidins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rutin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Burkea africana has 5 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antinociceptive, Antiplasmodial, Antipyretic, Cytotoxic, Hemolytic.
- Total activities
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antinociceptive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiplasmodial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipyretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hemolytic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Burkea africana has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, gastrointestinal diseases, inflammation, insect bites, sexually transmitted diseases.
- Total uses
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| malaria | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| insect bites | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sexually transmitted diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| snake bites | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wounds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |