Chiococca alba
Chiococca alba, commonly known as white berry or white chiococca, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to tropical regions. Renowned for its bioactive compounds, this plant is traditionally utilized in folk medicine to treat skin ailments, inflammation, and digestive issues, offering significant therapeutic potential in modern pharmacological research.
- Scientific name: Chiococca alba
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianaales, it is classified under the family Rubiaceae and is specifically identified by the genus Chiococca.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Rubiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Chiococca | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Chiococca alba, is recognized by several different common names in Portuguese, including Cipó-cruzeiro, Cipó cruzeiro, Cainca, Cipó-cruz, and Cipó cruz.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pt | Cipó-cruzeiro | Wikidata |
| pt | Cipó cruzeiro | Wikidata |
| pt | Cainca | Wikidata |
| pt | Cipó-cruz | Wikidata |
| pt | Cipó cruz | Wikidata |
| pt | Purga-preta | Wikidata |
| pt | Purga preta | Wikidata |
| pt | Raiz preta | Wikidata |
| pt | Raiz-preta | Wikidata |
| pt | Raiz-fedorenta | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions in North America. In the South-Central United States, its presence is noted within the state of Texas. Moving toward the Southeastern United States, the species can be found in Florida. Its range extends significantly into Mexico, covering the Central and Northeastern territories. Additionally, the plant is distributed throughout the Gulf region of Mexico.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| South-Central U.S.A. | Texas | WCVP |
| Southeastern U.S.A. | Florida | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Central | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northeast | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexican Pacific Is. | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southeast | WCVP |
| Central America | Belize | WCVP |
Chemicals
Chiococca alba has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe.
- Total chemicals
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 12
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Cd | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Co | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cr | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cu | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fe | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Na | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pb | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Zn | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| merilactone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Chiococca alba has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Appetite-Suppressant, Diuretic.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Appetite-Suppressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Chiococca alba has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include appetite suppressant, diuretic, inflammation, rheumatism.
- Total uses
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| appetite suppressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatism | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |