Desmodium tortuosum
Desmodium tortuosum, commonly known as the "twisted desmodium," is a versatile medicinal herb native to various tropical regions. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, it is traditionally used to treat digestive ailments, skin inflammations, and respiratory issues. This plant serves as a vital resource in many indigenous healing practices.
- Scientific name: Desmodium tortuosum
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, falling into the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Desmodium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Desmodium | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, scientifically known as Desmodium tortuosum, is recognized by various common names depending on the linguistic context. In Simplified Chinese, it is known as 南美山蚂蝗 (zh-hans/zh-cn), while in Traditional Chinese, it is referred to as 紫花山螞蝗 (zh-tw) or 南美山蚂蝗 (zh).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 南美山蚂蝗 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 紫花山螞蝗 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 南美山蚂蝗 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 南美山蚂蝗 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 南美山螞蝗 | Wikidata |
| fr | Sainfoin tortueux | Wikidata |
| zh | 南美山蚂蟥 | Wikidata |
| zh | 扭荚山绿豆 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several distinct regions. Within the Macaronesia archipelago, it can be found in Cape Verde. Its presence extends significantly into West Tropical Africa, where it inhabits the nation of Benin. Furthermore, the species is documented throughout Burkina and Gambia. Finally, its range includes the coastal territories of Ghana.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mauritania | WCVP |
Chemicals
Desmodium tortuosum has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include carotenoids, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| carotenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Desmodium tortuosum 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 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Desmodium tortuosum has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include oxidative stress.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| oxidative stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |