Cuphea carthagenensis
Colombian waxweed
Cuphea carthagenensis, commonly known as the Cartagena Cuphea, is a versatile medicinal shrub valued in traditional herbalism. Renowned for its bioactive properties, this plant is frequently utilized to treat inflammation and skin ailments. Its unique botanical profile offers significant potential for pharmacological research and natural therapeutic applications worldwide.
- Scientific name: Cuphea carthagenensis
- Family: Lythraceae
- 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 under the order Myrtales and the family Lythraceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Cuphea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Myrtales | WCVP |
| Family | Lythraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cuphea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Cuphea carthagenensis, is recognized by various regional and linguistic names across different cultures. In Chinese, it is commonly referred to as 哥伦比亚萼距花 (including the variants 哥伦比亚萼距花 for zh-hans and zh-cn), while in Taiwan, it is known as 克菲亞草 (zh-tw). Additionally, in Portuguese-speaking regions, it is identified by the name Sete-sangrias (pt).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 哥伦比亚萼距花 | Wikidata |
| pt | Sete-sangrias | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 克菲亞草 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 哥伦比亚萼距花 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 哥伦比亚萼距花 | Wikidata |
| en | Colombian waxweed | Wikidata |
| en | Colombian cuphea | Wikidata |
| en | tarweed | Wikidata |
| zh | 香膏萼距花 | Wikidata |
| zh | 克菲亞草 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide-ranging geographical distribution across several distinct global regions. Within the Macaronesian islands, it can be found located in the Azores. Its presence extends into West Tropical Africa, specifically within the countries of Guinea and Liberia. Furthermore, it is documented in West-Central Tropical Africa, particularly in Cameroon. Finally, the species reaches East Asia, where it is distributed in China Southeast.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Macaronesia | Azores | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Nansei-shoto | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Cuphea cartagenensis, is primarily utilized in traditional medicinal practices through its aerial parts. These above-ground structures, which encompass the stems, leaves, and flowers, contain the bioactive compounds necessary for its therapeutic applications. By harvesting the aerial parts, practitioners can access the plant's essential phytochemicals, making it a central focus for those seeking its specific healing properties.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cuphea carthagenensis has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include alkanes, ascorbic acid, ellagic acid, flavonoids, hippuric acid.
- Total chemicals
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 12
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| alkanes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ascorbic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ellagic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hippuric acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| myricetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sterols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Cuphea carthagenensis has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihypertensive, Antioxidant, Cardioprotective.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardioprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cuphea carthagenensis has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, antioxidant, atherosclerosis.
- Total uses
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Bacillus subtilis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus epidermidis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Streptococcus pyogenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| atherosclerosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diuretic effect | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herpes simplex virus type 1 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperlipidemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| type 2 diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |