Diospyros abyssinica

Diospyros abyssinica, commonly known as the African ebony, is a significant medicinal plant native to East Africa. Renowned for its bioactive compounds, various parts of the tree are traditionally utilized to treat ailments ranging from gastrointestinal issues to skin infections, offering valuable ethnobotanical insights for modern pharmacological research.

  • Scientific name: Diospyros abyssinica
  • Family: Ebenaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ericales, falling into the family Ebenaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Diospyros.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Ericales WCVP
Family Ebenaceae WCVP
Genus Diospyros WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Diospyros abyssinica, is recognized by various local names depending on the region. In Persian, it is commonly referred to as خرمالوی حبشی.
Language Common Name Source
fa خرمالوی حبشی Wikidata

Distribution

This plant, Diospyros abyssinicica, exhibits a specific distribution pattern within the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence has been documented across several distinct countries including Benin and Burkina. Additionally, the species can be found growing within the borders of Ghana. Further occurrences of this medicinal plant extend into Guinea. Finally, its geographical range includes the territory of Ivory Coast.

Region Area Source
West Tropical Africa Benin WCVP
West Tropical Africa Burkina WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ghana WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ivory Coast WCVP
West Tropical Africa Mali WCVP
West Tropical Africa Nigeria WCVP
West Tropical Africa Togo WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Central African Republic WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Cameroon WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Diospyros abyssinica, is valued in traditional medicine for the therapeutic properties found within its specific anatomical structures. Among its various components, the root bark is particularly significant, as it is frequently harvested and utilized for its medicinal potency. In many ethnobotanical practices, this particular part of the plant is processed to extract bioactive compounds believed to aid in healing various ailments.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
root bark 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Diospyros abyssinica 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

Diospyros abyssinica has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancers, cardiovascular diseases.

Total uses
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
cancers 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cardiovascular diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆