Erica mannii
Erica mannii, commonly known as Mann's heath, is a resilient evergreen shrub native to the fynbos biome of South Africa. Characterized by its delicate, needle-like foliage and bell-shaped flowers, this botanical treasure plays a vital role in its ecosystem, offering nectar to specialized pollinators within its unique habitat.
- Scientific name: Erica mannii
- Family: Ericaceae
- 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 Ericales, it is a representative of the family Ericaceae. Specifically, it is categorized under the genus Erica.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ericales | WCVP |
| Family | Ericaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Erica | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Erica mannii, is referred to by various names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In English, it is commonly known as Mann's heath, while in Afrikaans, it is called Mann se heide.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the tropical regions of Africa. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found specifically in Nigeria. Its presence extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it inhabits Burundi and Rwanda. Furthermore, the species is documented in Cameroon within the same central region. Finally, its range includes the islands located in the Gulf of Guinea.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Rwanda | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Angola | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Erica mannii, is a member of the Ericaceae family, and in many traditional medicinal practices, the whole plant is utilized for its therapeutic properties. Because its bioactive compounds are distributed throughout its structure—from the woody stems and small, needle-like leaves to the delicate floral components—the entire organism is often harvested to prepare infusions or decoctions. By employing the whole plant, practitioners ensure a comprehensive extraction of the various phytochemicals necessary for its intended medicinal effects.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Erica mannii has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include sitosterol.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| sitosterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Erica mannii has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Gram-negative bacteria.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Gram-negative bacteria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |