Conocarpus erectus
Buttonwood
Conocarpus erectus, commonly known as the "upright Conocarpus," is a resilient medicinal shrub native to tropical regions. Renowned for its unique upright growth habit, this plant is traditionally utilized in various folk remedies to treat inflammatory conditions, skin ailments, and digestive issues, showcasing its significant ethnobotanical value.
- Scientific name: Conocarpus erectus
- Family: Combretaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized into the order Myrtales and the family Combretaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Conocarpus, as part of the species Conocarpus erectus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Myrtales | WCVP |
| Family | Combretaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Conocarpus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known by its scientific name Conocarpus erectus, is referred to by various common names depending on the region and language. In Russian, it is called Конокарпус прямой, while in Arabic, it is known as دمس قائم. German speakers call it Knopfmangrove, and in Haitian Creole, it is referred to as Mango lanmè. Finally, in Finnish, the plant is known as mangrovekäpykerä.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ru | Конокарпус прямой | Wikidata |
| ar | دمس قائم | Wikidata |
| de | Knopfmangrove | Wikidata |
| ht | Mango lanmè | Wikidata |
| fi | mangrovekäpykerä | Wikidata |
| ml | കോനോകാർപ്പാസ് ഇറക്ക്റ്റസ് | Wikidata |
| pap | Fofoti | Wikidata |
| arz | دمس قائم | Wikidata |
| ja | ボタンマングローブ | Wikidata |
| zh | 銀葉鈕扣樹 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several distinct regions of the African continent. In Northern Africa, its range extends into the territory of Egypt. Moving toward the West Tropical Africa region, the species is found in Benin and the Gambia. It is also documented to grow within the borders of Ghana. Finally, its geographical distribution continues through the nation of Guinea-Bissau.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Conocarpus erectus, is primarily utilized in traditional medicine through its aerial parts. These above-ground structures, which encompass the stems, leaves, and flowers, contain the concentrated bioactive compounds necessary for its therapeutic effects. By harvesting the aerial parts, practitioners can access the essential phytochemicals that characterize the plant's medicinal properties.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Conocarpus erectus has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, vescalagin.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| vescalagin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Conocarpus erectus has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Conocarpus erectus has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidiabetic, bacterial infections.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bacterial infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |