Cassia aubrevillei
Cassia aubrevillei, commonly known as the African cassia, is a significant medicinal plant native to tropical regions. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, it is utilized in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, including skin infections and digestive issues. Its leaves and bark contain bioactive compounds essential for healing.
- Scientific name: Cassia aubrevillei
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Cassia, where its species name is aubrevillei.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cassia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Cassia aubrevillei, is known by various regional names depending on the linguistic context. In English, it is commonly referred to as Aubreville's cassia, while in French, it is known as Cassia d'Aubreville. In local West African contexts, particularly in areas where it is traditionally utilized, it may be identified by specific vernacular names, though its scientific identity remains the primary way it is cataloged in botanical studies.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across the diverse landscapes of West Tropical Africa. Specifically, its range includes the nations of Guinea, Liberia, and the Ivory Coast. Moving eastward, the species also extends into the West-Central Tropical Africa region. Within this central zone, it can be found in the Central African Republic. Finally, its geographical presence continues into the country of Gabon.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Cassia aubrevillei, is valued in traditional medicine primarily for the therapeutic properties found within its bark. The medicinal compounds are concentrated in the woody layers of the stem, which are harvested and processed to create various treatments. Depending on the specific traditional practice, the decoctions or powders derived from this bark are utilized to address various ailments, making this particular part of the plant essential to its pharmacological profile.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cassia aubrevillei has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Chrysophanic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Chrysophanic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cassia aubrevillei has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include onchocerciasis, pruritus.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| onchocerciasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pruritus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |