Euclea undulata
Small-leaved guarri, fynblaarghwarrie
Euclea undulata, commonly known as the False Guarri, is a versatile evergreen shrub native to Southern Africa. Highly valued in traditional medicine, its bark and roots are frequently used to treat ailments ranging from digestive issues to skin infections, showcasing its significant ethnobotanical importance and diverse therapeutic potential.
- Scientific name: Euclea undulata
- Family: Ebenaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ericales, it is further categorized into the family Ebenaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Euclea, specifically as the species Euclea undulata.
| 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 undulata, is referred to by several different common names depending on the language. In Afrikaans, it is called the Gewone ghwarrie, while in English, it is commonly known as either the Small-leaved guarri or the Fynblaarghwarrie.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| af | Gewone ghwarrie | Wikidata |
| en | Small-leaved guarri, Fynblaarghwarrie | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In South Tropical Africa, it can be found growing within the borders of Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Its presence extends into Southern Africa, where it is documented in Botswana and the Cape Provinces. Additionally, the species is known to inhabit the Caprivi Strip. Together, these locations highlight the diverse habitats occupied by Euclea undulata.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Botswana | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Cape Provinces | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Caprivi Strip | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Namibia | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Free State | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Eswatini | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Northern Provinces | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Euclea undulata, possesses various components that are utilized in traditional medicine, most notably the rootbark. The rootbark is highly valued for its medicinal properties and is often harvested to prepare decoctions or infusions used to treat various ailments. Due to the presence of specific bioactive compounds within this part of the plant, it serves as a primary source for therapeutic applications in local healing practices.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rootbark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Euclea undulata has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include fatty acids, flavonoids, glycosides, naphthoquinones, phytosterols.
- Total chemicals
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fatty acids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glycosides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| naphthoquinones | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phytosterols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Euclea undulata has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticholinesterase, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiplasmodial.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticholinesterase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiplasmodial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Euclea undulata has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cough, headaches, heart diseases, toothaches.
- Total uses
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cough | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| headaches | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| heart diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| toothaches | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |