Drymaria cordata

Drymaria cordata, commonly known as creeping charlie, is a resilient, low-growing perennial herb found in tropical and subtropical regions. Often viewed as a persistent weed, this medicinal plant possesses significant bioactive properties, traditionally used in various cultures to treat skin ailments, inflammation, and digestive issues through its potent compounds.

  • Scientific name: Drymaria cordata
  • Family: Caryophyllaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Drymaria cordata, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Caryophyllales. Finally, it is a member of the family Caryophyllaceae and falls under the genus Drymaria.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Caryophyllales WCVP
Family Caryophyllaceae WCVP
Genus Drymaria WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Drymaria cordata, is referred to by various common names depending on the region and language. In Malayalam, it is known as പിപ്പിലി, while in Chinese, it is called 荷莲豆草 (including the simplified forms 荷莲豆草 used in mainland China and 荷蓮豆草 in Taiwan).
Language Common Name Source
ml പിപ്പിലി Wikidata
zh 荷莲豆草 Wikidata
zh-cn 荷莲豆草 Wikidata
zh-tw 荷蓮豆草 Wikidata
zh-hans 荷莲豆草 Wikidata
id Cemplonan Wikidata
zh 串莲草 Wikidata
zh 水荷兰 Wikidata
zh 荷莲豆 Wikidata
zh 二蕊荷莲豆草 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant, known as Drymaria cordata, exhibits a specific distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented within the borders of Guinea, where it thrives in local ecosystems. The species is also found spreading through the coastal and inland areas of Ivory Coast. Furthermore, its range extends into the tropical landscapes of Liberia and Sierra Leone. Finally, the geographical reach of this medicinal plant includes the expansive territory of Nigeria.

Region Area Source
West Tropical Africa Guinea WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ivory Coast WCVP
West Tropical Africa Liberia WCVP
West Tropical Africa Nigeria WCVP
West Tropical Africa Sierra Leone WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Burundi WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Central African Republic WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Cameroon WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Congo WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Gabon WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known scientifically as Drymaria cordata, is a small creeping herb where the medicinal properties are often found throughout the whole plant. Because its therapeutic benefits are distributed across its leaves, stems, and flowers, traditional practitioners frequently utilize the whole plants in decoctions or infusions to prepare herbal remedies.
Total parts
2
Scientific sources
2
Plant Part Sources Confidence
whole plants 1 ★☆☆☆☆
whole plant 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Drymaria cordata has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, heliotrine, p-coumaric acid, spinasterol, stigmasterol.

Total chemicals
6
Scientific sources
7

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
flavonoids 2 ★☆☆☆☆
heliotrine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
p-coumaric acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
spinasterol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
stigmasterol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
terpenoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Drymaria cordata has 9 reported activities identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antidepressant, Antidiabetic, Antimalarial.

Total activities
9
Scientific sources
9

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidepressant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimalarial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antitussive 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Anxiolytic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Neuroprotective 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Drymaria cordata has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include bacteria, bronchitis, cancer, convulsions, cough.

Total uses
10
Scientific sources
10

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
bacteria 1 ★☆☆☆☆
bronchitis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
convulsions 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cough 1 ★☆☆☆☆
depression 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fever 1 ★☆☆☆☆
headaches 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hepatitis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
malaria 1 ★☆☆☆☆