Celtis iguanaea
Celtis iguanaea, commonly known as the Sea Celtis or Iguana Celtis, is a versatile tropical evergreen shrub native to coastal regions. Renowned for its glossy foliage and small, fleshy fruits, this resilient plant serves important ecological roles, offering nourishment to local wildlife while providing ornamental beauty in subtropical landscapes.
- Scientific name: Celtis iguanaea
- Family: Cannabaceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Celtis iguanaea, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Rosalales. Finally, it is a member of the family Cannabaeae and the genus Celtis.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Rosales | WCVP |
| Family | Cannabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Celtis | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Celtis iguanaea, is known by a variety of traditional names depending on the linguistic region. In Quechua, it is referred to by several terms, including Kalikali waska, Yanakaspi, and Yana kaspi. In Arabic, it is called ميس إغواني, while in Papuan contexts, it is identified as Beishi di yuana.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| qu | Kalikali waska | Wikidata |
| ar | ميس إغواني | Wikidata |
| pap | Beishi di yuana | Wikidata |
| qu | Yanakaspi | Wikidata |
| qu | Yana kaspi | Wikidata |
| qu | Yana k'aspi | Wikidata |
| es | Baboyana | Wikidata |
| es | Tala gateador | Wikidata |
| es | Mertensia iguanaea | Wikidata |
| es | Celtis aculeata | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across several key regions within North America. In the United States, its presence is specifically noted in the state of Florida. Its range extends significantly into Mexico, where it can be found throughout the central territories. Additionally, the species inhabits the northeastern and gulf coastal regions of Mexico. Finally, the plant is also established in the northwestern parts of the Mexican landscape.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southeastern U.S.A. | Florida | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Central | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northeast | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southeast | WCVP |
| Central America | Belize | WCVP |
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | El Salvador | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Celtis iguanaea, utilizes its various components for medicinal purposes, with particular emphasis placed on the foliage. The leaves serve as a primary source of bioactive compounds, and both the individual leaf and the collection of leaves are frequently harvested to prepare traditional remedies. These parts are often processed into infusions or decoctions to harness their therapeutic potential.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Celtis iguanaea has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, linoleic acid, phytosterols, polyphenols, unsaturated fatty acids.
- Total chemicals
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| linoleic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phytosterols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| unsaturated fatty acids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Celtis iguanaea has 6 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antinociceptive, Antiasthmatic, Antioxidant, Digestive.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antinociceptive | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiasthmatic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Digestive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Celtis iguanaea has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include gastric ulcers, Gastric ulcer, Inflammation, Pain.
- Total uses
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| gastric ulcers | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gastric ulcer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pain | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |