Geophila repens
Geophila repens, commonly known as the creeping geophila, is a low-growing medicinal plant valued in traditional herbal practices. Characterized by its delicate foliage and spreading habit, it is primarily recognized for its bioactive compounds. Researchers study this species to explore its potential therapeutic properties and diverse pharmacological applications.
- Scientific name: Geophila repens
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Gentianales and the family Rubiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Geophila.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Rubiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Geophila | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Geophila repens, is referred to by various common names depending on the region and language. In Malayalam, it is known as കരിമുത്തിൾ, while in Chinese, it is frequently called 爱地草 (including its simplified forms 爱地草 and zh-cn variants), and it is also referred to by the name 出山虎.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ml | കരിമുത്തിൾ | Wikidata |
| zh | 爱地草 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 爱地草 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 爱地草 | Wikidata |
| zh | 出山虎 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Geophila repens, exhibits a specific range across parts of North and Central America. In Mexico, its presence is documented throughout the Southwest and the Southeast regions. Moving into Central America, the species can be found growing in Belize. Its distribution continues southward into the country of El Salvador. Finally, the plant is also recorded within the tropical landscapes of Costa Rica.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southeast | WCVP |
| Central America | Belize | WCVP |
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | El Salvador | WCVP |
| Central America | Guatemala | WCVP |
| Central America | Honduras | WCVP |
| Central America | Nicaragua | WCVP |
| Central America | Panamá | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Cuba | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Geophila repens, exhibits specific morphological characteristics across its vegetative structures that are often studied for their medicinal properties. The small, spreading leaves are arranged in a way that allows the plant to form a dense ground cover, supported by slender, creeping petioles that connect the foliage to the stem. At a microscopic level, the epidermis of the leaves serves as a critical protective layer, regulating gas exchange and housing the specialized cells that may contribute to the plant's unique chemical profile.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| petioles | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epidermis of the leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Geophila repens has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic-acid methyl-ester, chloroform, ethyl acetate, flavonoids, genistin.
- Total chemicals
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 12
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic-acid methyl-ester | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chloroform | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethyl acetate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| genistin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methanol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| n-hexadecanoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phytol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin-3-D-galactoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Geophila repens has 3 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticholinesterase, Neuroprotective.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticholinesterase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Geophila repens has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, DNA damage, bacterial infections, intelligence, memory.
- Total uses
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's disease | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| DNA damage | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bacterial infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| intelligence | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| memory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| memory-deficits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neuroinflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |