Desmodium uncinatum
Desmodium uncinatatum, commonly known as the hooked desmodium, is a versatile medicinal legume native to tropical regions. Renowned in traditional healing, it possesses significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This plant is frequently studied for its potential therapeutic applications in treating various ailments, offering a natural approach to wellness.
- Scientific name: Desmodium uncinatum
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is a member of the family Fabaceae. Specifically, it is classified under 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, Desmodium uncinatum, is known by several different common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Traditional Chinese (zh-tw), it is referred to as 銀葉山螞蟥, while in Simplified Chinese versions used in mainland China (zh-cn) and general Simplified Chinese (zh), it is written as 银叶山蚂蟥. Additionally, it is also commonly known by the name 银叶藤 in Simplified Chinese (zh).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-tw | 銀葉山螞蟥 | Wikidata |
| zh | 银叶山蚂蟥 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 银叶山蚂蟥 | Wikidata |
| zh | 银叶藤 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is specifically noted in the countries of Ghana and Nigeria. Moving toward the center of the continent, it can be found within the West-Central Tropical Africa region, particularly in Cameroon. The species also extends into Northeast Tropical Africa, where it is documented in Ethiopia. Finally, its range reaches East Tropical Africa, including the nation of Kenya.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Angola | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Malawi | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
| Middle Atlantic Ocean | St.Helena | WCVP |
Chemicals
Desmodium uncinatum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Condensed tannin, saponin, tannin.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Condensed tannin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |