Huperzia phlegmaria
Huperzia phlegmaria, commonly known as the tropical clubmoss, is a significant medicinal plant native to Southeast Asia. Renowned for its potent neuroprotective properties, it contains the alkaloid huperzine A. This compound is widely studied for its ability to enhance memory and treat cognitive impairments like Alzheimer's disease.
- Scientific name: Huperzia phlegmaria
- Family: Lycopodiaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Lycopodiidae and order Lycopodiales, it is further categorized into the family Lycopodiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is defined by the genus Huperzia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Lycopodiidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lycopodiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lycopodiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Huperzia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant is known by several different names depending on the language and region. In Chinese, it is referred to as 垂枝石松 (zh) and 垂枝石松 (zh-tw), while in Waray (war), Cebuano (ceb), and Swedish (sv), it is commonly known by its scientific designation, Phlegmariurus phlegmaria.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 垂枝石松 | Wikidata |
| war | Phlegmariurus phlegmaria | Wikidata |
| ceb | Phlegmariurus phlegmaria | Wikidata |
| sv | Phlegmariurus phlegmaria | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 垂枝石松 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 垂枝石松 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 垂枝石松 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its range includes the nations of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Moving further east, the species is also documented within West-Central Tropical Africa. Specifically, it can be found inhabiting the territories of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. Consequently, its geographical presence is concentrated within these diverse tropical environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Equatorial Guinea | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Malawi | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Huperzia phlegmaria, is primarily utilized in traditional medicine through its aerial parts. As a lycopod species, its medicinal properties are concentrated in the above-ground structures, which include the photosynthetic stems and the small, scale-like leaves that characterize its growth habit. Because the bioactive alkaloids are found within these aerial components, the stems and foliage are the specific parts harvested and processed for therapeutic applications.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Huperzia phlegmaria has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde, loliolide, lycophlegmariol A, phlegmariurine B.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| loliolide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lycophlegmariol A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phlegmariurine B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Huperzia phlegmaria has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Huperzia phlegmaria has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |