Laportea ovalifolia
Laportea ovalifolia, commonly known as a species of stinging nettle, is a significant medicinal plant found in tropical regions. Characterized by its distinctive stinging hairs, it is traditionally utilized in folk medicine to treat various ailments, including skin inflammations, digestive issues, and pain relief, offering valuable ethnobotanical insights.
- Scientific name: Laportea ovalifolia
- Family: Urticaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Rosales, eventually reaching the family Urticaceae. Within this family, it is specifically categorized under the genus Laportea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Rosales | WCVP |
| Family | Urticaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Laportea | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is primarily found within the diverse ecosystems of West Tropical Africa. Its geographical range specifically includes the nation of Benin, where it grows in local habitats. It is also documented to inhabit parts of Guinea-Bissau and Guinea. Furthermore, the species can be located throughout the territory of Ghana. Finally, its distribution extends into the forested regions of the Ivory Coast.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | 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 |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
Chemicals
Laportea ovalifolia has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include polyphenols, triterpenes.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| polyphenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Laportea ovalifolia has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include hypoglycemic.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| hypoglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |