Lafoensia pacari
Lafoensia pacari, commonly known as “pica-pica,” is a remarkable medicinal shrub native to the high-altitude Andean regions. Renowned for its potent aromatic properties, this plant is traditionally utilized in folk medicine to treat respiratory ailments, digestive issues, and inflammatory conditions, offering a rich tapestry of ethnobotanical significance.
- Scientific name: Lafoensia pacari
- Family: Lythraceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Myrtales, it is classified under the family Lythraceae. Its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Lafoensia, identifying it as Lafoensia pacari.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Myrtales | WCVP |
| Family | Lythraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Lafoensia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread presence across the diverse landscapes of Brazil. Its geographical range extends significantly into the Brazil West-Central region. Furthermore, it can be found growing within the Brazil Northeast area. The distribution also encompasses the Brazil Southeast and Brazil North territories. Finally, its occurrence reaches as far as the Brazil South region.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Brazil West-Central | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil Northeast | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil Southeast | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil North | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil South | WCVP |
Chemicals
Lafoensia pacari has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ellagic acid, lupeol, punicalagin, saponins, steroids.
- Total chemicals
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| ellagic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lupeol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| punicalagin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stigmasterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Lafoensia pacari has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Staphylococcus aureus, allergy, asthma, cancer, dental caries.
- Total uses
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| allergy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dental caries | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| denture stomatitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eosinophilia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| obesity | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| peptic ulcer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |