Mexican primrose-willow
Ludwigia octovalvis · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (23 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Mexican primrose-willow, scientifically known as Ludwigia octovalvis, is a versatile perennial herb native to tropical regions. Renowned in traditional medicine, it possesses significant anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Often used to treat skin ailments and digestive issues, this plant offers valuable therapeutic potential for modern pharmacological research and development.
- Family
- Onagraceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Herb · Whole Plant
- Common names
- Narrow-Leaf Water-Primrose · Seedbox · 2 more
- Scientific synonyms
- Jussiaea Octovalvis · Oenothera Octovalvis
Names
Common Names
- narrow-leaf water-primrose
- seedbox
- water-primrose
- willow primrose
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Calavera
French:
- Herbe à bourrique
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Ludwigia octovalvisSynonyms
- Jussiaea octovalvis
- Oenothera octovalvis
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Myrtales, it falls under the family Onagraceae. Finally, it is identified by its scientific genus name, Ludwigia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Myrtales | WCVP |
| Family | Onagraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ludwigia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In the Macaronesian islands, its presence is specifically noted in Cape Verde. Moving to the mainland, it is found throughout various parts of West Tropical Africa. This includes significant populations within the territories of Benin, Burkina, and Gambia. Finally, its range extends further along the coast to include 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 | Mali | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Ludwigia octovalvis, is a versatile medicinal species where the whole plant is frequently utilized in various traditional healing practices. As a perennial herb typically found in wetlands or moist soils, every part of its structure—including the leaves, stems, and flowers—can be processed to extract its therapeutic properties. Whether used in decoctions or topical applications, the entire botanical form contributes to the plant's recognized medicinal value.| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| herb | Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole plant | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Ludwigia octovalvis has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include OLEANOLIC ACID, (23E)-coumaroylhederagenin, (23Z)-Coumaroylhederagenin, (3Z)-coumaroylhederagenin, 2alpha-hydroxy ursolic acid.
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| OLEANOLIC ACID | Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (23E)-coumaroylhederagenin | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (23Z)-Coumaroylhederagenin | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (3Z)-coumaroylhederagenin | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2alpha-hydroxy ursolic acid | Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| BETA-SITOSTEROL | Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Daucosterol | Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gallic acid | Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| MALTOL | Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Methyl brevifolincarboxylate | Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Ludwigia octovalvis has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hepatoprotective.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatoprotective | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ludwigia octovalvis has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Streptococcus mutans, diarrhea, dysentery.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Streptococcus mutans | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysentery | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Hydroalcoholic extracts | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aqueous extracts | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herb | Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |