Casearia ilicifolia
Casearia ilicifolia, commonly known as "casearia" or "folha-de-louro," is a versatile medicinal shrub native to Neotropical regions. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, it is traditionally used to treat inflammation, digestive issues, and skin ailments. Its bioactive compounds offer significant potential for pharmacological research and natural healing.
- Scientific name: Casearia ilicifolia
- Family: Salicaceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Malpighiales and resides in the family Salicaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Casearia, specifically as the species Casearia ilicifolia.
| 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 ilicifolia, is known by various regional names depending on the language and location. In English, it is commonly referred to as the holly-leaved casearia, while in Spanish, it is known as casearia o casearia de hoja de acebo. In Portuguese, the species is identified as casearia, and in the local Tupi language, it is called cascavela.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant is primarily found within the Caribbean region. Specifically, its natural habitat includes the island of Hispaniola. Within this area, the species is documented to grow in the Dominican Republic. It also maintains a presence across the territory of Haiti. Therefore, its geographical distribution is concentrated in these two specific Caribbean nations.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Caribbean | Dominican Republic | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Haiti | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known as Casearia iliciifolia, primarily utilizes its leaves for its medicinal properties. These leaves are often harvested and processed to extract bioactive compounds that contribute to the plant's therapeutic potential. In various traditional practices, the leaves serve as the most significant part of the plant for treating different ailments, making them the central focus of its pharmacological use.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Casearia ilicifolia has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, sterols, triterpenes.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sterols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |