Cussonia spicata
Cabbage tree
Cussonia spicata, commonly known as the Cabbage Tree, is a majestic South African evergreen celebrated for its sculptural beauty. Beyond its striking foliage, this resilient species holds significant ethnobotanical value, with various parts used in traditional medicine to treat ailments ranging from stomach upsets to skin inflammations and infections.
- Scientific name: Cussonia spicata
- Family: Araliaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Cussonia spicata, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Apiales and the family Araliaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Cussonia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Apiales | WCVP |
| Family | Araliaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cussonia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Cussonia spicata, is referred to by various names depending on the language spoken in its native regions. In English, it is commonly called the Cabbage tree, while in Afrikaans, it is known as Kiepersol, and in Tshivenda, it is called Mpopowanhova.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| af | Kiepersol | Wikidata |
| ts | Mpopowanhova | Wikidata |
| en | Cabbage tree | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found within the borders of the DR Congo. Moving toward the Northeast Tropical Africa region, its presence extends through Sudan and South Sudan. The species is also well-established in East Tropical Africa, specifically inhabiting the landscapes of Kenya and Tanzania. Finally, its range continues through East Tropical Africa to include Uganda.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Malawi | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zambia | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Botswana | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the Cabbage Tree, features distinctive leaves that are palmate in shape, meaning they spread out from a single point like the fingers of a hand. These compound leaves are composed of several large, green leaflets that provide a lush, architectural appearance to the tree. In medicinal contexts, the various components of the foliage are often studied or utilized, as the leaves serve as a primary structural and functional part of the plant's biology.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Cussonia spicata has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |