Scorpionbush
Ehretia microphylla · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (6 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Scorpionbush, scientifically known as Ehretiya microphylla, is a versatile evergreen shrub native to various tropical regions. Renowned for its medicinal properties, this plant is frequently utilized in traditional healing practices to treat skin ailments, inflammation, and digestive issues. Its robust foliage and unique ecological role make it highly significant.
Names
Common Names
- Fukien-tea
- Philippine-tea
- Fukien tea tree
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- árbol de té Fukien
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Ehretia microphyllaSynonyms
- Carmona microphylla
- Ehretia buxifolia var. heterophylla
- Carmona retusa
- Cordia retusa
- Cordia coromandeliana
- Carmona heterophylla
- Ehretia buxifolia
- Ehretia dentata
- Lithothamnus buxioides
- Ehretia monopyrena
- Ehretia heterophylla
- Ehretia coromandeliana
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 positioned in the order Boraginales and the family Boraginaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Ehretia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Boraginales | WCVP |
| Family | Boraginaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ehretia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. Within the Arabian Peninsula, its presence is noted throughout the Gulf States. In China, it can be found specifically in Hainan as well as across China Southeast. Its range extends into Eastern Asia, where it inhabits the Nansei-shoto islands. Finally, the species is also distributed throughout Taiwan.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Arabian Peninsula | Gulf States | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Nansei-shoto | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Andaman Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Ehretiia microphylla, possesses various components that are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The leaves are frequently employed in traditional medicine, often prepared as decoctions or poultices to treat specific ailments. Additionally, the root bark serves as a vital medicinal resource, containing bioactive compounds that are extracted to aid in healing and various pharmacological applications.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | Carcinogenesis (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Ehretia microphylla has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ehretianone, Sterols.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Ehretianone | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sterols | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Ehretianone
- Journal of natural products
Sterols
- Journal of natural products
Activities
Ehretia microphylla has 1 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimutagenic.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antimutagenic | Carcinogenesis (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| MeOH extract | Journal of natural products (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethyl acetate-soluble portion of the MeOH extract | Phytochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | Mutation research (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |