Heliotropium ophioglossum
Heliotropium ophioglossum, commonly known as Snake Tongue, is a significant medicinal herb used extensively in traditional Ayurvedic practices. Renowned for its potent pharmacological properties, this plant is frequently employed to treat various ailments, including skin disorders, inflammation, and neurological issues, offering valuable insights into natural healing and wellness.
- Scientific name: Heliotropium ophioglossum
- Family: Boraginaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls into the order Boraginales and the family Boraginaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Heliotropium.
| 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, Heliotropium ophioglossum, is known by various regional names depending on the linguistic context. In English, it is commonly referred to as snake tongue or viper's bugloss. Moving into Spanish, it is frequently called lengua de serpiente, while in Portuguese, it is known as língua de serpente. In French, the plant is identified as langue de serpent, and in Italian, it is referred to as lingua di serpente.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant is primarily located within the Northeast Tropical Africa region. Specifically, its range extends to the territories of Djibouti, Somalia, and the island of Socotra. In addition to its African presence, it can be found across the Arabian Peninsula. Its distribution in this area includes the countries of Oman and Yemen. Together, these locations define the specific geographical footprint of the species.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Djibouti | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Socotra | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Somalia | WCVP |
| Arabian Peninsula | Oman | WCVP |
| Arabian Peninsula | Yemen | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Pakistan | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Heliotropium ophioglossum, is often utilized in traditional medicine where the whole plant is employed for its therapeutic properties. From the roots and stems to the leaves and flowering structures, every part of the organism is recognized for its potential medicinal value. In various ethnobotanical practices, the entire specimen is harvested and processed to extract the bioactive compounds necessary for treating specific ailments, highlighting the holistic importance of the whole plant in herbal formulations.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Heliotropium ophioglossum has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include glycerol monopalmitate.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| glycerol monopalmitate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |