Graptophyllum pictum
Graptophyllum pictum, commonly known as the Justicia or Aphelandra plant, is a striking ornamental shrub valued for its colorful, patterned leaves. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this tropical perennial holds significant medicinal importance in traditional practices, often utilized for its diverse bioactive properties and potential therapeutic applications in herbal medicine.
- Scientific name: Graptophyllum pictum
- Family: Acanthaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following its placement in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales, it is further categorized under the family Acanthaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Graptophyllum, specifically as the species Graptophyllum pictum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Acanthaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Graptophyllum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Graptophyllum pictum, is recognized by various traditional names across different regions and languages. In Indonesia, it is commonly referred to as Daun ungu (id) and Handeuleum (jv), while in Thailand, it is known as ใบเงินใบทอง (th). Its local names further extend to Temen (ban) and Karotong (mad), reflecting its widespread presence in diverse botanical cultures.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| id | Daun ungu | Wikidata |
| jv | Handeuleum | Wikidata |
| th | ใบเงินใบทอง | Wikidata |
| ban | Temen | Wikidata |
| mad | Karotong | Wikidata |
| su | Handeuleum | Wikidata |
| ta | கிராப்டோபில்லம் பிக்டம் | Wikidata |
| ms | Pokok Handeuleum | Wikidata |
| ja | クロトンモドキ | Wikidata |
| gor | Dingilo meela | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning across several tropical regions. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in the nations of Ghana, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. Its presence extends further into West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically within the borders of Cameroon. Additionally, the species reaches the Western Indian Ocean, where it is documented in Mauritius. This wide range demonstrates the plant's ability to thrive in diverse tropical environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Réunion | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
| Malesia | Jawa | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Graptophyllum pictum, is primarily valued for its striking and ornamental leaves, which serve as the most distinctive part of its anatomy. These leaves are characterized by their thick, fleshy texture and vibrant patterns of green, cream, and deep red, making them highly decorative in tropical gardens. In traditional medicinal practices, these foliage components are often the parts utilized, as they contain various bioactive compounds that are extracted for their therapeutic potential.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Graptophyllum pictum has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, Hypopurin A, Hypopurin B, Lupeol, calcium oxalate.
- Total chemicals
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypopurin A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypopurin B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Lupeol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| calcium oxalate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stigmasterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Graptophyllum pictum has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Anticholinesterase, Antidiabetic, Antiinflammatory.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticholinesterase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Graptophyllum pictum has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, edema, vascular permeability.
- Total uses
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| edema | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| vascular permeability | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |