Erythrina variegata
Indian coral tree
Erythrina variegata, commonly known as the tiger claw or coral tree, is a versatile medicinal plant native to tropical regions. Renowned for its vibrant red blossoms, it is deeply embedded in traditional medicine, where its bark and leaves are utilized to treat ailments ranging from inflammation to various skin conditions.
- Scientific name: Erythrina variegata
- 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. Within the order Fabales, it is a member of the Fabaceae family. Specifically, it is classified under 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 variegata, is referred to by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In Mandarin Chinese, it is known as 刺桐 (zh-hans, zh-hant) and is also identified as 刺桐 in Hong Kong (zh-hk). In the Nan language, it is called Chhì-tông (nan), while in Kannada, it is known as ಹಾಲವಾಣ (kn).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| nan | Chhì-tông | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 刺桐 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 刺桐 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 刺桐 | Wikidata |
| kn | ಹಾಲವಾಣ | Wikidata |
| ta | முள்முருக்கு | Wikidata |
| th | ทองหลางลาย | Wikidata |
| to | Ngatae | Wikidata |
| de | Indischer Korallenbaum | Wikidata |
| id | Dadap | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several regions across the African continent. In Northern Africa, its presence can be noted in Egypt. Its range extends to the Macaronesian islands, specifically including Cape Verde. Within West Tropical Africa, the species is found in both Nigeria and Senegal. Finally, it reaches into West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically around the Gulf of Guinea Islands.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Aldabra | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Chagos Archipelago | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Erythrina variegata, possesses various components that are utilized in traditional medicinal practices. The root bark is often sought for its specific therapeutic properties, while the bark found on the main trunk and the specialized stem bark are also harvested for their bioactive compounds. Additionally, the sturdy wood of the tree and its small, potent seeds contribute to the diverse range of botanical materials available from this species for various herbal applications.- Total parts
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 14
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| root bark | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wood | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| barks | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Erythrina variegata has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include EBI, 1-(4-hydroxy-2-methoxyphenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoyloxy)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propan-1-ol, 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6-(3,3-dimethylallyloxiranylmethyl)isoflavone, ECI, Nitric oxide.
- Total chemicals
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| EBI | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1-(4-hydroxy-2-methoxyphenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoyloxy)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propan-1-ol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-6-(3,3-dimethylallyloxiranylmethyl)isoflavone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ECI | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Nitric oxide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| PGE2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| erythrinin B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| erythrodiol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eryvarin A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eryvarin B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Erythrina variegata has 5 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antidiabetic, Antipyretic, Anxiolytic, Sedative.
- Total activities
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipyretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anxiolytic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sedative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Erythrina variegata has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include analgesic, antipyretic, anxiety, chymotrypsin, insomnia.
- Total uses
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antipyretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anxiety | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chymotrypsin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| insomnia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| liver cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |