Couroupita guianensis
Couroupita guianensis, commonly known as the Cannonball tree, is a spectacular tropical evergreen valued for its unique flowers and medicinal potential. Beyond its ornamental beauty, various parts of the tree are utilized in traditional medicine to treat ailments ranging from skin infections to inflammatory conditions, showcasing its diverse therapeutic properties.
- Scientific name: Couroupita guianensis
- Family: Lecythidaceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Couroupita guianensis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Ericales and the family Lecythidaceae. Finally, its taxonomic designation is completed within the genus Couroupita.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ericales | WCVP |
| Family | Lecythidaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Couroupita | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, scientifically known as Couroupita guianensis, is recognized by various regional names across the globe. In Portuguese, it is called Abricó-de-macaco, while in Polish, it is referred to as czerpnia gujańska. It is known in Russian as Курупита гвианская, and in South Indian languages, it holds significant cultural importance, being called ನಾಗಲಿಂಗ ಪುಷ್ಪ ಮರ in Kannada and நாகலிங்கம் in Tamil.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pt | Abricó-de-macaco | Wikidata |
| pl | czerpnia gujańska | Wikidata |
| ru | Курупита гвианская | Wikidata |
| kn | ನಾಗಲಿಂಗ ಪುಷ್ಪ ಮರ | Wikidata |
| ta | நாகலிங்கம் | Wikidata |
| th | ลูกปืนใหญ่ | Wikidata |
| ms | Pokok Peluru Meriam | Wikidata |
| fi | kanuunankuulapuu | Wikidata |
| si | සල් | Wikidata |
| de | Kanonenkugelbaum | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning multiple tropical and subtropical regions. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in Bangladesh. Its presence extends to the Indo-China region, specifically inhabiting the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands. Additionally, the species is located in the Northwestern Pacific area, including the Marshall Islands. Finally, its range reaches the Southeastern United States, where it is documented in Florida.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Andaman Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Nicobar Is. | WCVP |
| Northwestern Pacific | Marshall Is. | WCVP |
| Southeastern U.S.A. | Florida | WCVP |
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | Honduras | WCVP |
| Central America | Panamá | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Cuba | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Dominican Republic | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the Cannonball tree, possesses various components that are utilized for medicinal and botanical purposes. The large, leathery leaves are often studied for their bioactive properties, while the spectacular, large flowers are highly distinctive for their complex structure and fragrance. In terms of propagation and medicinal study, stem cuttings are frequently used to cultivate new specimens, and shoot cuttings serve as a vital method for asexual reproduction to ensure consistent chemical profiles. Ultimately, the entire lifecycle of the flower, from its budding stage to its full bloom, plays a crucial role in the plant's ecological and pharmacological identity.- Total parts
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 10
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flowers | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem cuttings | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| shoot cuttings | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flower | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abuul leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CG leaf extracts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Couroupita guianensis has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Indirubin, Tryptanthrin, chloroform, silver nitrate.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Indirubin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tryptanthrin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chloroform | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| silver nitrate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Couroupita guianensis has 7 reported activities identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Analgesic, Anticancer, Antifungal.
- Total activities
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitubercular | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Couroupita guianensis has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antioxidant, malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, analgesic, antidiabetic.
- Total uses
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 16
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Plasmodium falciparum | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cold | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastric cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |