Cordia oncocalyx

Cordia oncocalyx, commonly known as "Palo de Agua," is a significant medicinal shrub native to South American landscapes. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, it is traditionally utilized in folk medicine to treat various ailments, including inflammatory conditions and digestive issues, offering valuable insights into natural ethnobotanical healing practices.

  • Scientific name: Cordia oncocalyx
  • Family: Boraginaceae
  • Native range: Southern America

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Boraginales and the family Boraginaceae. Finally, its taxonomic designation is completed by the genus Cordia.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Boraginales WCVP
Family Boraginaceae WCVP
Genus Cordia WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Cordia oncocalyx, is known by various names depending on the region and language. In English, it is commonly referred to as the sandpaper tree, while in Spanish, it is frequently called palo de arena. In Portuguese, it is known as pau-de-areia, and in the local context of certain regions, it may be referred to as cordia.
Language Common Name Source

Distribution

This plant is specifically located within a very limited geographical range. Its natural distribution is found exclusively in the country of Brazil. Within this nation, it is restricted to the Northeast region. Because of this specific localization, the species is characteristic of that particular area's flora. Consequently, the plant remains a regional botanical feature of the Brazilian Northeast.

Region Area Source
Brazil Brazil Northeast WCVP

Activities

Cordia oncocalyx has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimicrobial.

Total activities
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆