Hamelia patens
Hamelia patens, commonly known as Firebush, is a versatile tropical shrub celebrated for its vibrant, tubular orange-red flowers. Beyond its ornamental beauty, this resilient plant holds significant ethnobotanical value, traditionally used in various cultures for its diverse medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and healing applications in holistic wellness.
- Scientific name: Hamelia patens
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianaales. Finally, Hamelia patens is a member of the family Rubiaceae and falls under the genus Hamelia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Rubiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Hamelia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning multiple continents and climate zones. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found specifically in the West Himalaya region. Its range extends into Malesia, where it is located in Malaya. In North America, the species inhabits the Southeastern U.S.A., specifically within the state of Florida. Finally, its presence is noted in Mexico, covering both the Central and Northeast territories.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Subcontinent | West Himalaya | WCVP |
| Malesia | Malaya | WCVP |
| Southeastern U.S.A. | Florida | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Central | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northeast | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southeast | WCVP |
| Central America | Belize | WCVP |
Chemicals
Hamelia patens has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, flavonoids, glycosides, isopteropodine.
- Total chemicals
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| chlorogenic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epicatechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glycosides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isopteropodine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phytosterols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Hamelia patens has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Free-Radical Scavenging.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Free-Radical Scavenging | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Hamelia patens has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include type 2 diabetes, HeLa cells, herpes simplex virus, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemic effects.
- Total uses
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| type 2 diabetes | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HeLa cells | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herpes simplex virus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperglycemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypoglycemic effects | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tumor cell lines | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tumors | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wounds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |