Guilandina volkensii
Guilandinia volkensii, commonly known as a vital medicinal shrub in East Africa, holds significant ethnobotanical importance. Used extensively in traditional healing, its various parts are prepared to treat ailments ranging from skin infections to gastrointestinal issues. Research continues to explore its bioactive compounds for potential modern pharmacological applications.
- Scientific name: Guilandina volkensii
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further categorized into the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is established within the genus Guilandinia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Guilandina | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Guilandina volkensii, is known by several different common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In English, it is referred to as Volken's coral tree, while in German, it is called Volken-Koralle. In Swahili, the species is commonly known as mwalisawa.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical range concentrated within the tropical regions of Africa. In Northeast Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in Ethiopia. Moving toward East Tropical Africa, the species is also widely distributed throughout Kenya. Additionally, its presence is documented across the landscapes of Tanzania. Finally, the distribution extends into Uganda, completing its regional range in East Tropical Africa.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Guilandina volkensii, is a medicinal species where various anatomical structures contribute to its therapeutic potential. The leaves (L) are often utilized in traditional preparations, serving as a primary source for extracting bioactive compounds. In addition to the foliage, other plant parts such as the bark and roots may be employed in medicinal decoctions to treat specific ailments, demonstrating the multifaceted utility of the organism's biological components.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| L | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Guilandina volkensii has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimalarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |