Geoffroea decorticans

Geoffroea decorticans, commonly known as the flowering geoffroea, is a versatile medicinal shrub prized in traditional herbalism. Renowned for its vibrant blooms, this plant contains bioactive compounds used to treat various ailments, including inflammation and skin conditions. Its unique therapeutic properties continue to inspire modern pharmacological research and natural wellness.

  • Scientific name: Geoffroea decorticans
  • Family: Fabaceae
  • Native range: Southern America

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Geoffroea decoratica, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Its taxonomic hierarchy concludes with its placement in the genus Geoffroea.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Fabales WCVP
Family Fabaceae WCVP
Genus Geoffroea WCVP

Common Names

This plant is known by several different names depending on the language and botanical classification used. In Quechua, it is referred to as Chañar, while it is also identified by the name Gourliea decorticans in Quechua. In Hebrew, the plant is called ג'ופריאה מתקלפת, and in Spanish, it is commonly known as both Geoffroea spinosa and Gourliea decorticans.
Language Common Name Source
qu Chañar Wikidata
he ג'ופריאה מתקלפת Wikidata
qu Gourliea decorticans Wikidata
es Geoffroea spinosa Wikidata
es Gourliea decorticans Wikidata
es Lucuma spinosa Wikidata
es Gourlia spinosa Wikidata
es Gourliea decorticata Wikidata
es Gourliea spinosa Wikidata
es Gourliea chilensis Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several regions of South America. In the western portion of the continent, it can be found growing in both Bolivia and Peru. Moving toward the southern part of the continent, its range extends significantly into Argentina. Within Argentina, the species is located in the northeast, the south, and the northwest regions. Consequently, its presence spans a diverse variety of geographical landscapes across the continent.

Region Area Source
Western South America Bolivia WCVP
Western South America Peru WCVP
Southern South America Argentina Northeast WCVP
Southern South America Argentina South WCVP
Southern South America Argentina Northwest WCVP
Southern South America Chile Central WCVP
Southern South America Chile North WCVP
Southern South America Paraguay WCVP
Southern South America Uruguay WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Geoffroea decorticans, commonly known as chañar, possesses distinct botanical features that are utilized in traditional medicine. The flower is typically small and yellowish, appearing in clusters that attract pollinators during its blooming season. Following the flowering stage, the plant produces a fleshy fruit that is rich in nutrients and often used to create medicinal syrups or fermented beverages, valued for their soothing and restorative properties.
Total parts
2
Scientific sources
2
Plant Part Sources Confidence
fruit 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flower 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Geoffroea decorticans has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include esters.

Total chemicals
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
esters 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Geoffroea decorticans has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Total activities
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Geoffroea decorticans has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, Enterococcus faecium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium.

Total uses
6
Scientific sources
7

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
cancer 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Enterococcus faecium 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Klebsiella pneumoniae 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Salmonella typhimurium 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Staphylococcus aureus 1 ★☆☆☆☆