Coleus barbatus var. barbatus
Coleus barbatus var. barbatus, commonly known as Blue Senna, is a significant medicinal herb used extensively in traditional African medicine. Renowned for its potent purgative and anthelmintic properties, this plant is frequently employed to treat intestinal parasites, constipation, and various digestive ailments, offering valuable therapeutic benefits in herbal pharmacology.
- Scientific name: Coleus barbatus var. barbatus
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Coleus, specifically the variety barbatus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lamiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Coleus | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans across multiple continents and distinct ecological zones. In the Atlantic region, its presence is noted within the Macaronesian islands, specifically in Madeira. Moving toward the African continent, it is found in the West-Central Tropical region, including Rwanda. Its distribution also extends into Northeast Tropical Africa, where it inhabits the territories of Eritrea and Ethiopia. Finally, the species can be located within the Horn of Africa in Somalia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Macaronesia | Madeira | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Rwanda | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Eritrea | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Somalia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Cape Provinces | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, scientifically known as Coleus barbatus var. barbatus, is a versatile medicinal herb where various anatomical components are utilized for therapeutic purposes. While the whole plant is frequently employed in traditional remedies to treat diverse ailments, specific focus is often placed on the stem and the root system. Unlike some species that develop specialized storage organs, this variety does not typically feature prominent tuberous roots; however, the primary roots and the vegetative structure provide essential bioactive compounds. Whether using the entire organism or isolated sections, each part contributes to its complex medicinal profile.- Total parts
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 22
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| tuberous roots | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| root | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf tissues | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hairy roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Coleus barbatus var. barbatus has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |