Hydnora africana
Hydnorah afriana, commonly known as the African Hydnora, is a fascinating, parasitic plant found in southern Africa. Lacking leaves and chlorophyll, it lives entirely underground, attaching to host roots. While not a traditional herb, its unique biology and pungent scent offer intriguing subjects for botanical and medicinal research.
- Scientific name: Hydnora africana
- Family: Aristolochiaceae
- 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 Piperales, it is classified under the family Aristolochiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Hydnora.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Piperales | WCVP |
| Family | Aristolochiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Hydnora | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Hydnora africana, is recognized by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In South Africa, it is commonly referred to as Jakkalskoos in Afrikaans, while in Chinese, it is called 非洲白鷺花. Its names in other languages include гиднора африканская in Russian, Африкалық гиднора in Kazakh, and نبات هيدنورا أفريكانا in Arabic.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| kk | Африкалық гиднора | Wikidata |
| ar | نبات هيدنورا أفريكانا | Wikidata |
| ru | гиднора африканская | Wikidata |
| af | Jakkalskos | Wikidata |
| zh | 非洲白鷺花 | Wikidata |
| sr | Афричка хиднора | Wikidata |
| hu | afrikai földikürt | Wikidata |
| ta | ஐத்னோரா ஆப்பிரிகானா | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 非洲白鷺花 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 非洲白鹭花 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is native to several regions across Southern Africa. Its distribution includes specific areas within the Cape Provinces. It can also be found growing in the arid landscapes of Namibia. Furthermore, the species extends into the KwaZulu-Natal province. Finally, its range reaches across the Free State and the Northern Provinces.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Africa | Cape Provinces | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Namibia | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Free State | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Northern Provinces | WCVP |
Chemicals
Hydnora africana has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, tannins.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| proanthocyanidins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Hydnora africana has 5 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antidysenteric, Antifungal, Antiproliferative.
- Total activities
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidysenteric | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Hydnora africana has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antioxidant, cancer, dysentery.
- Total uses
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysentery | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |