Digitaria abyssinica
Digitaria abyssinicas, commonly known as African finger millet, is a resilient cereal crop valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Rich in essential minerals and antioxidants, it plays a vital role in traditional healing practices, often used to manage metabolic health and support overall wellness in various African regions.
- Scientific name: Digitaria abyssinica
- Family: Poaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Poales and the family Poaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in the genus Digitaria.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Poales | WCVP |
| Family | Poaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Digitaria | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Digitaria abyssinicа, is referred to by different common names depending on the region and language. In Swedish, it is called Abessinsk fingerhirs, while in Swahili, it is commonly known as Sangari.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| sv | Abessinsk fingerhirs | Wikidata |
| sw | Sangari | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented within the borders of Nigeria. Moving into West-Central Tropical Africa, the species can be found in Burundi. The distribution continues through this central region to include Cameroon and the Congo. Finally, its range extends further into West-Central Tropical Africa to encompass the nation of Gabon.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Congo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Rwanda | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Djibouti | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Eritrea | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Digitaria abyssinica, is a medicinal species where the rhizoome serves as a significant component for therapeutic application. The rhizome, being the underground modified stem, acts as a vital storage organ for the plant, concentrating various bioactive compounds that contribute to its medicinal properties. In traditional healing practices, this specific part is often harvested and processed to harness its natural chemical constituents for treating various ailments.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Rhizome | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Digitaria abyssinica has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins.
- Total chemicals
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cardiac glycosides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Digitaria abyssinica has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimalarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Digitaria abyssinica has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, candidiasis, gonorrhea, malaria.
- Total uses
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| candidiasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gonorrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |