Coccoloba uvifera
Sea grape
Coccoloba uvifera, commonly known as sea grape, is a resilient coastal shrub native to tropical regions. Renowned for its fleshy, edible fruits and leathery leaves, this plant holds significant ethnobotanical value. It is traditionally utilized in various cultures for its medicinal properties, including treating inflammation, wounds, and digestive ailments.
- Scientific name: Coccoloba uvifera
- Family: Polygonaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales. Finally, it is a member of the family Polygonaceae and falls under the genus Coccoloba.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Polygonaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Coccoloba | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Coccoloba uvifera, is known by various regional names across different linguistic contexts. In Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 海葡萄 (zh-hans), which is also the standard name used in Mainland China (zh-cn), Singapore (zh-sg), and Hong Kong (zh-hk). Similarly, in Traditional Chinese, the plant is commonly called 海葡萄 (zh-hant).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 海葡萄 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 海葡萄 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 海葡萄 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 海葡萄 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 海葡萄 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 海葡萄 | Wikidata |
| ht | Rezen bòdmè | Wikidata |
| pl | Kokkoloba gronowa | Wikidata |
| ru | Кокколоба ягодоносная | Wikidata |
| hu | tengeriszőlő | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several tropical regions of the world. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is noted specifically in Guinea-Bissau. Its range extends into the Western Indian Ocean, where it can be found on the islands of Mauritius and Réunion. Furthermore, the species is distributed throughout Indo-China, encompassing countries such as Thailand. Finally, its documented locations include Vietnam, highlighting its widespread tropical habitat.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Réunion | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
| Papuasia | Solomon Is. | WCVP |
| Southwestern Pacific | Gilbert Is. | WCVP |
| Southwestern Pacific | New Caledonia | WCVP |
| Southwestern Pacific | Phoenix Is. | WCVP |
| South-Central Pacific | Cook Is. | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known commonly as Coccoloba uvifera or sea grape, features distinct and highly characteristic leaves that serve as a primary identifier for the species. The leaves are large, leathery, and broadly orbicular in shape, often appearing somewhat kidney-shaped with a rounded or slightly indented apex. They possess a thick, waxy cuticle that helps the plant retain moisture in coastal environments, and they are often characterized by prominent, palmate venation that radiates from the base. In many medicinal applications, these robust leaves are the parts most frequently studied or utilized for their various bioactive properties.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Coccoloba uvifera has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include gallic acid, methyl gallate, protocatechuic acid, protocatechuic acid methyl ester.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| gallic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methyl gallate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| protocatechuic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| protocatechuic acid methyl ester | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Coccoloba uvifera has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antitumor.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Coccoloba uvifera has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antioxidant activity.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antioxidant activity | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |