Euclea crispa
Blue guarri
Euclea crispa, commonly known as the Wild Date Plum, is a resilient evergreen shrub native to Southern Africa. Renowned in traditional medicine, its various parts are utilized to treat ailments ranging from digestive issues to skin conditions. This versatile plant holds significant ethnobotanical value for its diverse therapeutic properties.
- Scientific name: Euclea crispa
- Family: Ebenaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ericales. Finally, it is a member of the family Ebenaceae and is situated within the genus Euclea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ericales | WCVP |
| Family | Ebenaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Euclea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Euclea crispa, is referred to by various names depending on the language and region. In English, it is commonly called blue guarri, while in Afrikaans, it is known as Bloughwarrie, and in Tsonga, it is called Nhlangula.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| af | Bloughwarrie | Wikidata |
| ts | Nhlangula | Wikidata |
| en | Blue guarri | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, Euclea crispa, exhibits a specific geographical distribution throughout the South Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing within the borders of Angola, where it thrives in local ecosystems. The species also extends its range into Malawi, contributing to the area's floral diversity. Furthermore, its presence is well-documented across Mozambique and Zambia. Finally, the distribution of this medicinal plant reaches into Zimbabwe, completing its regional footprint.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| South Tropical Africa | Angola | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Malawi | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zambia | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Botswana | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Cape Provinces | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Lesotho | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Free State | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Euclea crispa, is frequently valued for its therapeutic potential, particularly through the use of its leaves. These leaves are characterized by their distinctively wavy or "crisped" margins, which give the species its specific epithet. In various traditional medicinal practices, the leaves are harvested and prepared to treat a variety of ailments, often being utilized in decoctions or infusions to address inflammatory conditions or skin issues.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Euclea crispa has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 6-(4,6-dioxo-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-yl-amino)hexanoic acid trifluoroacetate, hydrocortisone acetate, phenyl glucuronide.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 6-(4,6-dioxo-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-yl-amino)hexanoic acid trifluoroacetate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hydrocortisone acetate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenyl glucuronide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Euclea crispa has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include breast cancer, cancer, ovarian cancer.
- Total uses
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ovarian cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |