Drypetes natalensis
Drypetes natalensis, commonly known as a significant medicinal shrub in West African traditional medicine, holds immense pharmacological potential. Often utilized by local healers to treat various ailments, including skin infections and inflammatory conditions, this plant is increasingly being studied for its bioactive compounds and diverse therapeutic applications in ethnobotany.
- Scientific name: Drypetes natalensis
- Family: Putranjivaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Malpighiales and the family Putranjivaceae. Finally, it is specifically identified by the genus Drypetes.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Putranjivaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Drypetes | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad presence across several key regions of the African continent. In Northeast Tropical Africa, its range extends through Somalia as well as Sudan and South Sudan. Moving into East Tropical Africa, the species can be found growing in both Kenya and Tanzania. The distribution also reaches down into South Tropical Africa, specifically within the borders of Malawi. Collectively, these locations highlight the diverse environmental niches this medicinal species inhabits.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Somalia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Malawi | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
Activities
Drypetes natalensis has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiplasmodial.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antiplasmodial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |