Crocodilium pumilio
Crocodilium pumilio, commonly known as the Dwarf Scale-leaf, is a rare medicinal herb prized in traditional healing practices. Renowned for its potent antioxidant properties, this plant is frequently utilized to treat skin inflammations and digestive ailments. Its unique chemical composition makes it a vital subject for modern pharmacological research.
- Scientific name: Crocodilium pumilio
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further organized under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Crocodilium, specifically as the species Crocodilium pumilio.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Crocodilium | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Crocodilium pumilio, is referred to by several different common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In English, it is most frequently called the dwarf crocodile plant, while in Spanish, it is known as la planta cocodrilo enana. In Portuguese, the species is referred to as o crocodilo anão, and in French, it is called le crocodile nain.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions in the Mediterranean. In Southeastern Europe, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Greece and Italy. Additionally, its presence extends to the island of Kriti within the same European region. Moving toward Northern Africa, the species is also established in the territory of Egypt. Finally, its range reaches further west into Libya, completing its spread across these coastal areas.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Kriti | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Palestine | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Crocodilium pumilio, is primarily valued for its aerial parts, which include the leaves, stems, and flowers that grow above the ground. These elevated structures serve as the main source of bioactive compounds used in traditional medicinal applications. By focusing on the aerial parts, practitioners can harvest the plant's most accessible components to extract the specific phytochemicals necessary for therapeutic purposes.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |