Dillenia
Dillenia, commonly known as the Elephant Apple, is a versatile genus of flowering plants found in tropical regions. Renowned for its large, distinctive fruits and fleshy sepals, it holds significant medicinal value. Often used in traditional remedies, it possesses antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties essential for holistic wellness.
- Scientific name: Dillenia
- Family: Dilleniaceae
- 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 Dilleniales, it is classified under the family Dilleniaceae. Ultimately, the medicinal plant is identified by its specific genus, Dillenia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Dilleniales | WCVP |
| Family | Dilleniaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Dillenia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant belongs to the genus Dillenia, which is known by various names depending on the regional language and script used. In Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 五桠果属 (zh-hans) or 五桠果属 (zh-cn), while in Traditional Chinese, it is written as 五椏果屬 (zh-hant). In the specific linguistic context of Hong Kong, the name is also recorded as 五椏果屬 (zh-hk), and in Singapore, the Simplified Chinese designation 五桠果属 (zh-sg) is utilized.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 五桠果属 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 五椏果屬 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 五椏果屬 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 五桠果属 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 五桠果属 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 第倫桃屬 | Wikidata |
| id | simpur | Wikidata |
| zh | 五桠果属 | Wikidata |
| ar | ديلنيا | Wikidata |
| pl | Ukęśla | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several tropical regions. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found around the Gulf of Guinea Islands. Its presence extends significantly into the Western Indian Ocean region. Within this ocean area, the species inhabits the islands of Comoros and Mauritius. Furthermore, it is widely distributed across the larger islands of Madagascar and Réunion.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Madagascar | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Réunion | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Seychelles | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the Elephant Apple, is highly valued for its unique and fleshy fruits. These large, acid-flavored fruits are characterized by their thick, fleshy sepals that surround a central core, making them a distinctive feature of the species. Beyond their botanical structure, the fruits are widely utilized in various culinary and medicinal practices, often used to prepare tangy curries or traditional remedies.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Dillenia has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, triterpenoids.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Dillenia has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiprotozoal, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiprotozoal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Dillenia has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancers, cough, diabetes mellitus, diarrhea, fever.
- Total uses
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cough | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| jaundice | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wounds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |