Heterotis rotundifolia
Heterotis rotundifolia, commonly known as the round-leaved heterotis, is a significant medicinal plant valued in traditional African medicine. Characterized by its distinctive foliage, this species is frequently utilized for its diverse therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities, offering valuable insights into natural pharmacology and regional healing practices.
- Scientific name: Heterotis rotundifolia
- Family: Melastomataceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Myrtaleales and the family Melastomataceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Heterotis, with the specific species being Heterotis rotundifolia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Myrtales | WCVP |
| Family | Melastomataceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Heterotis | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, scientifically known as Heterotis rotundifolia, is recognized by various common names depending on the region and language. In the Ilocano language, it is referred to as Dissotis rotundifolia, while in Malayalam, it is known as വള്ളി അതിരാണി. In Chinese contexts, it is identified as 蔓性野牡丹 (zh and zh-Hans) and is also referred to as Dissotis rotundifolia in Taiwan (tw).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ilo | Dissotis rotundifolia | Wikidata |
| ml | വള്ളി അതിരാണി | Wikidata |
| zh | 蔓性野牡丹 | Wikidata |
| tw | Dissotis rotundifolia | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 蔓性野牡丹 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 蔓性野牡丹 | Wikidata |
| zh | 蔓性湿地棯 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, Heterotis rotundifolia, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing within the borders of Benin. Furthermore, its presence extends to the coastal and inland areas of Guinea-Bissau. The species is also documented to inhabit parts of Guinea and Sierra Leone. Finally, its range includes the territory of Togo, completing its regional footprint.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Congo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Heterotis rotundifolia, is primarily utilized in traditional medicine through its vegetative components, specifically the fresh and dried leaves. When used in their fresh state, the leaves retain their full succulent texture and volatile properties, which are often preferred for immediate applications. Alternatively, the dried leaves serve as a stable, concentrated form that can be easily stored, powdered, or steeped into decoctions, providing a versatile way to harness the plant's therapeutic potential.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fresh and dried leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |