Entada elephantina
Entada elephantina, commonly known as the elephant bean, is a robust woody climber native to tropical African forests. Renowned for its massive, woody pods, this medicinal plant is traditionally utilized in folk medicine to treat various ailments, including skin infections and inflammation, offering significant pharmacological potential for modern research.
- Scientific name: Entada elephantina
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae, specifically placed in the genus Entada. As a member of the Entada genus, Entada elephantina represents a specialized lineage of medicinal legumes.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Entada | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across several distinct regions within the southern portion of the continent. In South Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in both Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Moving toward the southern reaches, it can be found throughout Botswana. The species also extends into the Cape Provinces of Southern Africa. Finally, its geographical range includes the mountainous terrain of Lesotho.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Botswana | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Cape Provinces | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Lesotho | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Namibia | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Free State | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Eswatini | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Northern Provinces | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Entada elephantina, is a woody climber that utilizes various botanical structures for its growth and medicinal properties. Its large, compound leaves are essential for photosynthesis and contribute to the plant's overall vitality. While some climbing species rely on complex underground systems, the medicinal value of this specific plant is often concentrated in the roots, which are harvested for traditional treatments. Unlike plants that spread through fleshy rhizomes, this species focuses its energy on its primary root system to anchor itself. Although it does not possess a creeping rhizome structure like many herbaceous perennials, each part of the plant plays a unique role in its survival within the forest ecosystem.- Total parts
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 21
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| roots | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| root | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| rhizomes | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| rhizome | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem rhizome | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root tissues | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Entada elephantina has 8 reported activities identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anthelmintic, Antifungal, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial.
- Total activities
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiplasmodial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antirickettsial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |