Erythrina senegalensis

Erythrina senegalensis, commonly known as the Senegal coral tree, is a versatile medicinal plant native to Africa. Renowned for its vibrant red flowers, it holds significant ethnobotanical importance. Various parts of the tree are traditionally utilized to treat ailments ranging from skin infections and inflammation to digestive and respiratory issues.

  • Scientific name: Erythrina senegalensis
  • Family: Fabaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is a member of the Fabaceae family. Finally, it is identified by the genus Erythrina.

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 senegalensis, is referred to by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Arabic, it is called حمرية سنغالية, while in the Dagbani language, it is known as Taŋjibga. In Bambara, the plant is called Ntenbilen, and in Chinese, it is identified as 塞内加尔刺桐.
Language Common Name Source
ar حمرية سنغالية Wikidata
dag Taŋjibga Wikidata
bm Ntenbilen Wikidata
zh 塞内加尔刺桐 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the diverse landscapes of West Tropical Africa. Specifically, its presence can be documented within the borders of Benin. It also grows naturally throughout the territories of Burkina and Gambia. Furthermore, the species is found in the regions of Ghana. Finally, its geographical range extends into Guinea-Bissau.

Region Area Source
West Tropical Africa Benin WCVP
West Tropical Africa Burkina WCVP
West Tropical Africa Gambia WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ghana WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea-Bissau WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ivory Coast WCVP
West Tropical Africa Liberia WCVP
West Tropical Africa Mali WCVP
West Tropical Africa Mauritania WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Erythrina senegalensis, possesses various components that are utilized in traditional medicinal practices. The leaves are often employed for their specific therapeutic properties, while the stem serves as the structural foundation of the organism. Furthermore, both the stem bark and the root bark are significant parts of the plant, frequently harvested to extract bioactive compounds used in various herbal remedies.
Total parts
4
Scientific sources
5
Plant Part Sources Confidence
stem bark 2 ★☆☆☆☆
stem 1 ★☆☆☆☆
root bark 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Erythrina senegalensis has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include senegalensin, Erysodine, Erythrodiol, alpinumisoflavone, carpachromene.

Total chemicals
18
Scientific sources
19

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
senegalensin 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Erysodine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Erythrodiol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
alpinumisoflavone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
carpachromene 1 ★☆☆☆☆
derrone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
erysenegalensein E 1 ★☆☆☆☆
erysenegalensein M 1 ★☆☆☆☆
erythrisenegalone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
ferulic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Erythrina senegalensis has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antiplasmodial.

Total activities
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiplasmodial 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Erythrina senegalensis has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, Plasmodium berghei, Pneumococcus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, bacterial diseases.

Total uses
12
Scientific sources
12

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Alzheimer's disease 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Plasmodium berghei 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Pneumococcus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Streptococcus pneumoniae 1 ★☆☆☆☆
bacterial diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dysentery 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fevers 1 ★☆☆☆☆
liver diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
malaria 1 ★☆☆☆☆