Erythrina poeppigiana
Erythrina poepigiana, commonly known as the Coral Pea, is a striking ornamental shrub prized for its vibrant red flowers. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this species holds significant ethnobotanical value. Various parts of the plant are utilized in traditional medicine for their potential antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in diverse cultures.
- Scientific name: Erythrina poeppigiana
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, falling into the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Erythrina and the specific species Erythrina poppigiana.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Erythrina | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Erythrina poepigiana, is recognized by several traditional names within specific linguistic contexts. In the Quechua language, it is referred to by the names Chuku yura and Yunka amasisa.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| qu | Chuku yura | Wikidata |
| qu | Yunka amasisa | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in both Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Moving into West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found around the Gulf of Guinea Islands and throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Additionally, the species extends its reach into East Tropical Africa, specifically within Kenya. Consequently, the geographical range of Erythrina poepigiana spans from the western coast to the eastern highlands.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | 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 |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Malesia | Jawa | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known commonly as the coral tree, possesses various components that are often studied for their biological properties, particularly the stem bark. The stem bark of Erythrina poepigiana is a significant part of the specimen used in traditional medicinal practices, where it is often processed to extract bioactive compounds. These compounds are believed to contribute to the plant's overall pharmacological profile, making the bark a focal point for research into its potential therapeutic applications.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Erythrina poeppigiana has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include isoflavones, isoflavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| isoflavones | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isoflavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |