Heptapleurum actinophyllum
Umbrella tree
Heptapleurum actinophyllum, commonly known as the "Sea Poison Tree," is a resilient coastal shrub valued in traditional medicine. Renowned for its diverse phytochemical properties, it is utilized to treat various ailments, including skin infections and inflammation. This plant serves as a vital natural resource in tropical maritime ecosystems.
- Scientific name: Heptapleurum actinophyllum
- Family: Araliaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Apiales and the family Araliaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Heptapleurum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Apiales | WCVP |
| Family | Araliaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Heptapleurum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Heptapleurum actinophyllum, is known by various names depending on the region and language; for instance, in Indonesian it is referred to as Schefflerera actinophylla, while in Bengali it is called অক্টোপাস গাছ. In Cantonese, the plant is known as 傘樹, and in Persian, it is identified as شفلرا آکتینوفیلا, whereas in Croatian, it is commonly called Schefflerera actinophylla.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| id | Schefflera actinophylla | Wikidata |
| bn | অক্টোপাস গাছ | Wikidata |
| yue | 傘樹 | Wikidata |
| fa | شفلرا آکتینوفیلا | Wikidata |
| hr | Schefflera actinophylla | Wikidata |
| zh | 傘樹 | Wikidata |
| sv | Palmaralia | Wikidata |
| ja | ブラッサイア | Wikidata |
| zh | 辐叶鹅掌柴 | Wikidata |
| en | umbrella tree | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct oceanic and continental regions. Within the Macaronesia archipelago, it can be found growing in both the Canary Islands and Madeira. Its presence extends into the Western Indian Ocean, specifically inhabiting the Comoros. Furthermore, the species is recorded in the Indian Subcontinent, with documented sightings in Bangladesh. Finally, its range reaches into Indo-China, where it is located on the Nicobar Islands.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Macaronesia | Canary Is. | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Madeira | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Nicobar Is. | WCVP |
| Malesia | Christmas I. | WCVP |
| Papuasia | New Guinea | WCVP |
| Australia | Norfolk Is. | WCVP |
| Australia | Northern Territory | WCVP |
| Australia | Queensland | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Heptapleurum actinophyllum (commonly known as the Umbrella Tree), utilizes its leaves as a primary component for its medicinal and aesthetic characteristics. The leaves are large, glossy, and palmately compound, typically featuring multiple leaflets that radiate from a central point to create an umbrella-like appearance. In various traditional practices, these robust leaves are studied for their potential bioactive properties, reflecting the plant's complex botanical structure.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Heptapleurum actinophyllum has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |