white star apple
Gambeya albida · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (4 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
White star apple, scientifically known as Gambeya albida, is a versatile medicinal tree native to African savannas. Renowned for its therapeutic properties, various parts of the plant, including its bark and leaves, are utilized in traditional medicine to treat ailments such as inflammation, infections, and digestive issues.
- Family
- Sapotaceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Fruit · Leaf
- Common names
- White Star Apple
- Scientific synonyms
- Planchonella Albida · Chrysophyllum Albidum · 3 more
Names
Common Names
- White Star Apple
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Gambeya albidaSynonyms
- Planchonella albida
- Chrysophyllum albidum
- Chrysophyllum henriquesii
- Chrysophyllum kayei
- Chrysophyllum millenianum
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Ericales and the family Sapotaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Gambeya, which includes the specific species Gambeya albida.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ericales | WCVP |
| Family | Sapotaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Gambeya | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across several countries within the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Benin and Ghana. Its natural habitat also extends through the territories of Guinea and Ivory Coast. Furthermore, the species is documented to occur within Liberia. These locations highlight its significant presence throughout this specific part of the continent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Congo | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Gambeya albida, possesses various components that are utilized for their medicinal properties. The root bark is often harvested and used in traditional remedies to treat specific ailments, while the leaves are frequently employed in infusions or decoctions to address different health concerns. Additionally, the fruit serves as another significant part of the plant used in various therapeutic applications.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| fruit | Andrologia (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | BMC complementary medicine and therapies (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Gambeya albida has 1 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | Journal of food biochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| infusion | Journal of food biochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |