Kirkia acuminata
Kirkia acuminata, commonly known as the Kirkia tree, is a resilient medicinal shrub native to the arid regions of East Africa. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, various parts of this plant are traditionally utilized in folk medicine to treat ailments ranging from digestive issues to inflammatory skin conditions.
- Scientific name: Kirkia acuminata
- Family: Kirkiaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Sapindales and placed in the family Kirkiaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Kirkia, specifically the species Kirkia acuminata.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Kirkiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Kirkia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across several key regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, its distribution includes the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Moving toward East Tropical Africa, the species can be found within the borders of Tanzania. Its reach extends significantly into South Tropical Africa, where it inhabits the nation of Angola. Finally, the plant is also established in the southern regions of Malawi and Mozambique.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Angola | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Malawi | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zambia | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Botswana | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Caprivi Strip | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Namibia | WCVP |
Chemicals
Kirkia acuminata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include lignans.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| lignans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Kirkia acuminata has 4 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Kirkia acuminata has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cholera, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Staphylococcus aureus, abdominal pains, backache.
- Total uses
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cholera | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mycobacterium smegmatis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abdominal pains | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| backache | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| constipation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cough | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysentery | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| snake bites | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |