Heliotropium crispum

Heliotropium crispum, commonly known as the Curly Heliotrope, is a distinctive medicinal herb native to various tropical regions. Renowned for its unique foliage and delicate blooms, this plant contains bioactive compounds traditionally utilized in ethnobotany for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, offering significant potential in modern pharmacological research.

  • Scientific name: Heliotropium crispum
  • Family: Boraginaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Boraginales, it is classified under the family Boraginaceae. It is further identified by its genus, Heliotropium, specifically as the species Heliotropium crispum.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Boraginales WCVP
Family Boraginaceae WCVP
Genus Heliotropium WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Heliotropium crispum, is referred to by various common names depending on the region and language. In English, it is frequently called crisp heliotrope, while in French, it is known as héliotrope frisé. In Spanish, the plant is identified as heliotropo rizado, and in Italian, it is called eliotropo riccio.
Language Common Name Source

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed throughout the North African region. Its presence is specifically documented across several Mediterranean countries including Algeria and Egypt. Furthermore, it can be found growing within the territories of Libya and Morocco. The species also extends its range into the nation of Tunisia. Consequently, its geographical footprint is concentrated within these specific northern African territories.

Region Area Source
Northern Africa Algeria WCVP
Northern Africa Egypt WCVP
Northern Africa Libya WCVP
Northern Africa Morocco WCVP
Northern Africa Tunisia WCVP
Northern Africa Western Sahara WCVP
Macaronesia Canary Is. WCVP
Macaronesia Madeira WCVP
West Tropical Africa Burkina WCVP
West Tropical Africa Mali WCVP

Chemicals

Heliotropium crispum has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ba, Ca, Cr, Fe, Mg.

Total chemicals
7
Scientific sources
7

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
Ba 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Ca 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cr 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Fe 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Mg 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Si 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Ti 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Heliotropium crispum has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihemolytic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Total activities
4
Scientific sources
4

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antihemolytic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Heliotropium crispum has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include kidney diseases, neurodegenerative diseases.

Total uses
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
kidney diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
neurodegenerative diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆