Gunnera perpensa
Gunnera perpensa, commonly known as "palo de yerba," is a perennial herb native to South America. Renowned in traditional medicine, it is frequently utilized for its purported antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Often used in decoctions, this plant plays a vital role in various folk remedies across diverse regional cultures.
- Scientific name: Gunnera perpensa
- Family: Gunneraceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized into the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gunnerales. Finally, it is a member of the family Gunneraceae and falls under the genus Gunnera.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gunnerales | WCVP |
| Family | Gunneraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Gunnera | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Gunnera perpensa, is known by various regional names depending on the linguistic context. In English, it is frequently referred to as Peruvian rhubarb, while in Spanish, it is commonly called ruibarbo peruano. In Portuguese, the plant is known as ruibarbo peruano, reflecting its widespread recognition across South American territories.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution across various regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found inhabiting the territories of Burundi, Rwanda, and the DR Congo. Moving toward the northeast, its presence extends into the country of Ethiopia. The range also encompasses the areas of Sudan and South Sudan within Northeast Tropical Africa. Together, these locations define the primary geographical footprint of this medicinal species.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Rwanda | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Cape Provinces | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Lesotho | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Gunnera perpensa, is a medicinal herb where the primary therapeutic component is found within its underground structures. The most significant parts used for medicinal purposes are the rhizomes, which are thick, fleshy stems that grow horizontally beneath the soil surface. When prepared for traditional remedies, these dry rhizomes are often processed to extract their active compounds, providing the essential medicinal properties characteristic of the species.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| dry rhizomes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Rhizome | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Gunnera perpensa has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include lactic acid, punicalagin, punicalin, pyrogallol, succinic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| lactic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| punicalagin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| punicalin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pyrogallol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| succinic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Gunnera perpensa has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Uterotonic.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Uterotonic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Gunnera perpensa has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include AChE, Candida albicans, cell proliferation, endometritis, gram-negative bacteria.
- Total uses
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| AChE | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cell proliferation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| endometritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gram-negative bacteria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gram-positive bacteria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| venereal diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |