Ipomoea mauritiana
Ipomoea mauritiana, commonly known as Water Morning Glory, is a versatile climbing vine native to tropical regions. Renowned for its striking blue flowers, this plant holds significant ethnobotanical value. Traditionally, it is utilized in various medicinal practices to treat skin ailments, inflammation, and digestive issues, showcasing its therapeutic potential.
- Scientific name: Ipomoea mauritiana
- Family: Convolvulaceae
- 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 Solanales, it is classified under the family Convolvulaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is established within the genus Ipomoea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Solanales | WCVP |
| Family | Convolvulaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ipomoea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Ipomoea mauritiana, is known by various regional names across different Chinese linguistic contexts. In Simplified Chinese, it is commonly referred to as 七爪金龙 (zh-hans) or 七爪金龙 (zh-cn), while in Traditional Chinese, it is identified as 七爪龍 (zh-hant). This specific nomenclature is also used in Hong Kong, where it is called 七爪龍 (zh-hk), and in Singapore, where the name is written as 七爪龙 (zh-sg).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 七爪金龙 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 七爪龍 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 七爪龍 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 七爪金龙 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 七爪龙 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 掌葉牽牛 | Wikidata |
| ml | പാൽമുതുക്ക് | Wikidata |
| zh | 七爪金龙 | Wikidata |
| id | Akar lanar | Wikidata |
| si | කිරිබදු | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution spanning parts of Macaronesia and West Tropical Africa. Within the Macaronesian region, its presence is noted in Cape Verde. Moving into West Tropical Africa, the species can be found across several different nations. Specifically, it inhabits the territories of Benin, Burkina, and Gambia. Additionally, its range extends further south into Ghana.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Ipomoea mauritiana, is often utilized in traditional medicine where the whole plant is employed for its various therapeutic properties. From the roots and stems to the leaves and flowers, every part of the organism can be processed into decoctions, infusions, or poultices to address different ailments. By using the whole plant, practitioners aim to harness the complete synergy of its bioactive compounds to achieve the desired medicinal effects.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Ipomoea mauritiana has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include campesterol, flavonoids, lupeol, octadecanoic acid, saponins.
- Total chemicals
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| campesterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lupeol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| octadecanoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stigmasterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Ipomoea mauritiana has 6 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Carminative, Diuretic.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anthelmintic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Carminative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tonic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ipomoea mauritiana has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include anthelmintic, breast milk, diuretic, jaundice, neurodegenerative disorders.
- Total uses
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| anthelmintic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast milk | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| jaundice | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neurodegenerative disorders | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sperm count | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |