Carissa spinarum
Carissa edulis
Carissa spinarum, commonly known as the Natal Plum, is a hardy, evergreen shrub native to Southern Africa. Renowned for its glossy foliage and white flowers, this resilient plant offers significant ethnobotanical value. It is frequently utilized in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, including inflammation and digestive issues.
- Scientific name: Carissa spinarum
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Gentianales and the family Apocynaceae. Finally, its taxonomic designation is completed within the genus Carissa.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Apocynaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Carissa | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Carissa spinarum, is referred to by various names depending on the language and region. In Chinese, it is called 假虎刺 (jiǎ hǔ cì), while in Arabic, it is known as كاريس شوكي. It is also identified as ኣጋም (agam) in Amharic, சிறு கிளா (siṟu kiḷā) in Tamil, and is commonly called Ntshuguri in Tsonga.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 假虎刺 | Wikidata |
| ar | كاريس شوكي | Wikidata |
| am | ኣጋም | Wikidata |
| ta | சிறு கிளா | Wikidata |
| ts | Ntshuguri | Wikidata |
| ml | ചെറുമുൾച്ചെടി | Wikidata |
| ja | カリッサ・スピナルム | Wikidata |
| rw | Umushubi | Wikidata |
| mr | करवंद | Wikidata |
| arz | كاريس شوكى | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct regions of the African continent. In Northern Africa, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Egypt. Moving towards the Atlantic, it can be found inhabiting the Macaronesian islands of Cape Verde. The species also extends into West Tropical Africa, where it is documented in Benin and Burkina. Additionally, its range continues through the West Tropical African nation of Ghana.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| 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 | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Carissa spinarum, possesses various components that are utilized in traditional medicine. The medicinal properties are often derived from the roots, which are harvested for their specific healing qualities. The leaf structure is quite distinct, and the thick, green leaves are frequently used in decoctions or poultices. Additionally, the fruit can be gathered, while the entire root system serves as a vital part of the plant's biological and therapeutic profile.- Total parts
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 11
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| root | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| roots | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Carissa spinarum has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include vitamin C, Chlorogenic acid, Cyanidin-3-glucoside, Resveratrol, Syringic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| vitamin C | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Chlorogenic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cyanidin-3-glucoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Resveratrol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Syringic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthocyanin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| betulinic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ursolic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Carissa spinarum has 7 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Anthelmintic, Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antipyretic.
- Total activities
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipyretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aphrodisiac | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Carissa spinarum has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include anaplasmosis, anthelmintic, antipyretic, antiviral, asthma.
- Total uses
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 12
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| anaplasmosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthelmintic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antipyretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| erectile dysfunction | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infection | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |