Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Caesalpinia pulcherrimima, commonly known as Pride of Barbados, is a vibrant tropical shrub celebrated for its stunning scarlet blooms. Beyond its ornamental beauty, this medicinal plant holds significant ethnobotanical value, utilized in traditional practices to treat various ailments, including inflammation, skin conditions, and digestive issues through its bioactive compounds.
- Scientific name: Caesalpinia pulcherrima
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and order Fabales, it is specifically situated in the Fabaceae family. Its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Caesalpinia, within which the species Caesalpinia pulcherrimna is categorized.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Caesalpinia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several key regions. In Northern Africa, it can be found growing within the borders of Egypt. Its range extends to the Macaronesian islands, specifically including Cape Verde. Furthermore, the species is well-established throughout West Tropical Africa. This widespread presence is evidenced by its occurrence in Gambia, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mauritania | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Niger | WCVP |
Chemicals
Caesalpinia pulcherrima has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3',7-dimethoxy-3-hydroxyflavone, Benzyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzoate, acacetin, bonducellin, dehydrovariabilin.
- Total chemicals
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 3',7-dimethoxy-3-hydroxyflavone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Benzyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzoate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acacetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bonducellin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dehydrovariabilin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dihydrobonducellin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isobonducellin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isovouacapenol C | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| naringenin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Caesalpinia pulcherrima has 2 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Caesalpinia pulcherrima has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum, bacterial infections, cancer stem cells, colon cancer, gastric cancer.
- Total uses
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Plasmodium falciparum | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bacterial infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer stem cells | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colon cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastric cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatocellular carcinoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| influenza | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |