Gouania longipetala
Gouania longipetala, commonly known as the long-petaled gouania, is a significant medicinal shrub native to West Africa. Renowned in traditional medicine, its roots and leaves are frequently utilized to treat various ailments, including skin infections and digestive issues, offering valuable ethnobotanical insights into regional therapeutic practices and biodiversity.
- Scientific name: Gouania longipetala
- Family: Rhamnaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Rosales, it is a member of the family Rhamnaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by its specific genus, Gouania, and its species name, Gouania longipeptala.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Rosales | WCVP |
| Family | Rhamnaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Gouania | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Gouania longipetala, is known by several different common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In English, it is frequently referred to as long-petaled gouania, while in French, it is called gouania à longs pétales. In the local languages of its native habitats, such as in West Africa, it is commonly known as kounan in Mandinka and kounan in Wolof.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed throughout the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, its presence can be documented in the nation of Benin. It is also found growing within the borders of Ghana and Guinea. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the Ivory Coast. Finally, its geographical reach includes the country of Liberia.
| 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 Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Gouania longipeptala, is valued for its therapeutic properties, which are primarily derived from its aerial parts. These above-ground structures, which include the stems, leaves, and flowers, contain the specific bioactive compounds necessary for its medicinal applications. By utilizing the aerial parts, practitioners can harvest the essential components of the plant while ensuring the root system remains intact for potential regeneration.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Gouania longipetala has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include de-O-methyllasiodiplodin.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| de-O-methyllasiodiplodin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |