Dolichos kilimandscharicus
Dolichos kilimandscharicus, commonly known as a vital medicinal herb of the East African highlands, offers remarkable therapeutic potential. Native to the Kilimanjaro region, this plant is traditionally utilized by local communities to treat diverse ailments, ranging from digestive issues to inflammatory conditions, showcasing its profound ethnobotanical significance.
- Scientific name: Dolichos kilimandscharicus
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is further categorized into the family Fabaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Dolichos.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Dolichos | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Dolicho sclaricus (often referred to in botanical literature as Dolichos kilimandscharicus), is known by various regional names depending on the linguistic context. In English, it is commonly referred to as the Kilimanjaro bean, while in Swahili, it is known as mchunga wa Kilimanjaro.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several key regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in Burundi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Moving toward the eastern part of the continent, it is also found within Northeast Tropical Africa. Specifically, this species can be located in Ethiopia. Finally, its range extends through the territories of Sudan and South Sudan.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Rwanda | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Angola | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Malawi | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Dolicho scaphyloides (often referred to in botanical contexts related to the Kilimanjaro region), utilizes its specialized tuber as a vital storage organ. This underground structure serves as a reservoir for nutrients and water, allowing the plant to survive periods of environmental stress or dormancy. In medicinal applications, it is often this fleshy, tuberous part that contains the concentrated bioactive compounds required for therapeutic use.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| tuber | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Dolichos kilimandscharicus has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ethyl acetate.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| ethyl acetate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |