Combretum microphyllum
Combretum microphyllum, commonly known as the small-leaf bush, is a resilient medicinal shrub native to Southern Africa. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, this plant is traditionally utilized to treat various ailments, including inflammation and digestive issues, offering a valuable resource in ethnobotanical studies and natural pharmacology.
- Scientific name: Combretum microphyllum
- Family: Combretaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Combretum microphyllum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Myrtales. Finally, it is a member of the family Combretaceae within the genus Combretum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Myrtales | WCVP |
| Family | Combretaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Combretum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Combretum microphyllum, is referred to by various common names depending on the language. In Arabic, it is called قمبريط صغير الأوراق (ar), and it is also known as قمبريط صغير الاوراق (arz). Additionally, in Afrikaans, the plant is commonly called Vlamklimop (af).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ar | قمبريط صغير الأوراق | Wikidata |
| af | Vlamklimop | Wikidata |
| arz | قمبريط صغير الاوراق | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily found across several regions of the African continent. In East Tropical Africa, its presence is documented within the borders of Tanzania. Moving toward the southern portion of the continent, it is widely distributed throughout South Tropical Africa. Specifically, this species inhabits the countries of Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia. Finally, its geographical range extends into the nation of Zimbabwe.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Malawi | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zambia | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Botswana | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Eswatini | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Northern Provinces | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Combretum microphyllum, is characterized by its distinct morphological features, particularly its medicinal leaf. The leaf serves as a vital component of the plant's structure, often containing the bioactive compounds that contribute to its therapeutic properties. In many studies of this species, the leaf is the primary part harvested for extracting phytochemicals used in traditional or pharmacological applications.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Combretum microphyllum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include arjunolic acid, eicosanoic acid, n-tetracosanol.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| arjunolic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eicosanoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| n-tetracosanol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Combretum microphyllum has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, mutations.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| mutations | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |