Casearia decandra
Casearia decandra, commonly known as the "sweet casearia," is a versatile medicinal shrub native to tropical regions. Renowned in traditional medicine, its leaves and bark possess potent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. It is frequently utilized to treat skin ailments, digestive issues, and various inflammatory conditions in herbal remedies.
- Scientific name: Casearia decandra
- Family: Salicaceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Casearia decandra, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Malpighiales and the family Salicaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic classification places it within the genus Casearia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Salicaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Casearia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Casearia decandra, is known by several different common names depending on the region and local language. In English, it is often referred to as the cascarilla tree, while in Portuguese, it is commonly called cascarilha. In Spanish, it is known as cascarilla, and in French, it is called cascarille.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several tropical regions. In Central America, it can be found growing in Honduras and Panamá. Its presence extends into the Caribbean, where it is located in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Additionally, the species is documented within the Leeward Islands. This widespread range highlights its adaptability across various island and mainland environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Central America | Honduras | WCVP |
| Central America | Panamá | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Dominican Republic | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Haiti | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Leeward Is. | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Puerto Rico | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Trinidad-Tobago | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Windward Is. | WCVP |
| Northern South America | French Guiana | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Suriname | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Casearia decandra, is primarily recognized for the medicinal properties found within its leaves. These leaves are characterized by their distinct shape and texture, serving as the central component in various traditional remedies used to treat inflammatory conditions and skin ailments. Because the bioactive compounds are concentrated in the foliage, the leaves are typically harvested, dried, or prepared as infusions to harness their therapeutic potential.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Casearia decandra has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr.
- Total chemicals
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Br | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ca | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cl | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Co | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cr | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fe | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| La | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mg | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mn | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |