Leucosidea sericea

Oldwood

Leucosidea sericea, commonly known as the Silver-leafed Leucosidea, is a significant medicinal shrub native to the moist forests of South Asia. Renowned for its potent bioactive compounds, this plant is traditionally utilized in folk medicine to treat various ailments, offering promising therapeutic potential in modern pharmacological research and development.

  • Scientific name: Leucosidea sericea
  • Family: Rosaceae
  • 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 falls under the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Leucosidea.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Rosales WCVP
Family Rosaceae WCVP
Genus Leucosidea WCVP

Common Names

This plant, scientifically known as Leucosidea sericea, is recognized by several distinct common names depending on the language. In English, it is known as Oldwood, while in Afrikaans, it is referred to as Ouhout.
Language Common Name Source
en Oldwood Wikidata
af Ouhout Wikidata

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several key regions of the African continent. Within South Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in both Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Moving into the Southern African region, it can be found throughout the Cape Provinces. Additionally, the species is known to inhabit the mountainous terrain of Lesotho. Its range also extends to the coastal and inland areas of KwaZulu-Natal.

Region Area Source
South Tropical Africa Mozambique WCVP
South Tropical Africa Zimbabwe WCVP
Southern Africa Cape Provinces WCVP
Southern Africa Lesotho WCVP
Southern Africa KwaZulu-Natal WCVP
Southern Africa Free State WCVP
Southern Africa Northern Provinces WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Leucosidea sericea, possesses distinct morphological features in its vegetative structures that are often utilized in traditional medicinal practices. The stem is typically woody and serves as the sturdy structural framework that supports the plant's growth in its natural habitat. Complementing this is the leaf, which is characterized by its specific shape and arrangement, playing a crucial role in the plant's metabolic processes and often containing the bioactive compounds sought for therapeutic purposes.
Total parts
2
Scientific sources
2
Plant Part Sources Confidence
stem 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Leaf 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Leucosidea sericea has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetramethoxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, iridoid, quercetin glucoside, rutin, saponins.

Total chemicals
6
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
2-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetramethoxy-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one 1 ★☆☆☆☆
iridoid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
quercetin glucoside 1 ★☆☆☆☆
rutin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
saponins 1 ★☆☆☆☆
tangeritin 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Leucosidea sericea has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent, Vermifuge.

Total activities
4
Scientific sources
4

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Astringent 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Vermifuge 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Leucosidea sericea has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Propionibacterium acnes, antioxidant, conjunctivitis, vermifuge.

Total uses
4
Scientific sources
4

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Propionibacterium acnes 1 ★☆☆☆☆
antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
conjunctivitis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
vermifuge 1 ★☆☆☆☆