Flueggea virosa

White-berry bush

Flueggea virosa, commonly known as a significant medicinal plant in tropical Africa, holds great ethnobotanical value. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, various parts of this shrub are utilized in traditional medicine to treat ailments ranging from skin infections to inflammatory conditions, offering promising potential for modern pharmacological research.

  • Scientific name: Flueggea virosa
  • Family: Phyllanthaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Malpighiales and the family Phyllanthaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is placed within the genus Flueggea.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Malpighiales WCVP
Family Phyllanthaceae WCVP
Genus Flueggea WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Flueggea viridescens (often referred to in botanical contexts as Flueggea virosa), is known by various common names depending on the region and language. In Chinese, it is referred to as 白饭树 (zh-Hans), 白飯樹 (zh-Hant), 白飯樹 (zh-HK), and 白饭树 (zh). In Vietnam, it is commonly known as Bỏng nổ (vi).
Language Common Name Source
zh-hans 白饭树 Wikidata
zh-hant 白飯樹 Wikidata
zh-hk 白飯樹 Wikidata
vi Bỏng nổ Wikidata
zh 白饭树 Wikidata
zh-tw 密花白飯樹 Wikidata
wo Keŋ Wikidata
dag Susuɣra Wikidata
ar نهف منتن Wikidata
zh-cn 白饭树 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the African continent. In Northern Africa, its presence is documented within the borders of Egypt. Moving toward the West Tropical Africa region, the species can be found in Benin and Burkina. It also inhabits the coastal and inland areas of the Gambia. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant extends into Ghana.

Region Area Source
Northern Africa Egypt WCVP
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 Mali WCVP
West Tropical Africa Mauritania WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Flueggea virosa, possesses various components that are utilized for their medicinal properties. The leaves are often collected for their bioactive compounds, while the twigs are frequently employed in traditional preparations. Additionally, the roots serve as a vital part of the plant's medicinal profile, and the root bark is specifically harvested to extract potent therapeutic elements used in folk remedies.
Total parts
4
Scientific sources
12
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaves 6 ★★★☆☆
twigs 2 ★☆☆☆☆
roots 2 ★☆☆☆☆
root bark 2 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Flueggea virosa has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Securinol A, flueggether A, virosinine A.

Total chemicals
3
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
Securinol A 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flueggether A 1 ★☆☆☆☆
virosinine A 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Flueggea virosa has 6 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiepileptic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antipsychotic, Cytotoxic.

Total activities
6
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antiepileptic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antipsychotic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Sedative 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Flueggea virosa has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include HIV, Malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, dengue fever, malaria.

Total uses
6
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
HIV 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Malaria 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Plasmodium falciparum 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dengue fever 1 ★☆☆☆☆
malaria 1 ★☆☆☆☆
sickle cell disease 1 ★☆☆☆☆