Copaifera
Copaifera, commonly known as Copaiba, is a versatile medicinal tree native to tropical South America. Renowned for its aromatic oleoresin, this plant offers powerful anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and healing properties. Historically used in traditional medicine, its potent oils are now widely studied for treating skin conditions and systemic inflammation.
- Scientific name: Copaifera
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Copaifera.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Copaifera | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, belonging to the genus Copaifera, is known by various names across different languages and regions. In Polish, it is referred to as kopaiwa, while in Russian, it is called Копаифера. In Lithuanian, the name used is Kopalis, and in Czech, it is known as kopaiba. Finally, in Finnish, the plant is commonly called kopaivapuut.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pl | kopaiwa | Wikidata |
| ru | Копаифера | Wikidata |
| lt | Kopalis | Wikidata |
| cs | kopaiba | Wikidata |
| fi | kopaivapuut | Wikidata |
| arz | كوبيفيرا | Wikidata |
| zh | 香漆豆属 | Wikidata |
| ar | كبية | Wikidata |
| ja | コパイフェラ属 | Wikidata |
| pl | kopaiba | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across several key regions within West Tropical Africa. Specifically, it can be found growing in the nation of Ghana. Its presence extends further into the coastal and inland areas of Guinea-Bissau. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit various parts of Guinea. Finally, its geographical range includes the territories of Ivory Coast and Liberia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cabinda | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Copaiba, is highly valued for its therapeutic properties derived primarily from its unique biological secretions. The most significant medicinal component is the oleoresin, a viscous substance produced within the tree. To harvest this liquid, specialized incisions are made into the trunk, allowing the precious oleoresins to flow out for collection. This substance, extracted directly from the woody structure, serves as the foundation for various traditional and modern medicinal applications.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| trunk | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oleoresins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oleoresin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Copaifera has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include copalic acid, hardwickiic acid, kaurenoic acid, polyaltic acid, sesquiterpenes.
- Total chemicals
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| copalic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hardwickiic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaurenoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyaltic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sesquiterpenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Copaifera has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiinflammatory.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antiinflammatory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Copaifera has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, leishmaniasis, ulcer.
- Total uses
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leishmaniasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ulcer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |