Macleaya cordata

Macleaya cordata, commonly known as plume poppy, is a robust perennial herb native to East Asia. Renowned for its large, heart-shaped leaves and striking yellow blooms, this plant contains potent alkaloids. Historically utilized in traditional medicine, its bioactive compounds offer significant pharmacological potential for treating various inflammatory conditions.

  • Scientific name: Macleaya cordata
  • Family: Papaveraceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Ranunculales, it is a member of the Papaveraceae family. Its specific taxonomic designation falls under the genus Macleaya, specifically the species Macleaya cordata.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Ranunculales WCVP
Family Papaveraceae WCVP
Genus Macleaya WCVP

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution that spans across several distinct regions of the world. In Middle Europe, it can be found within the territories of Germany as well as the Czechia-Slovakia region. Its presence extends into Southeastern Europe, specifically documented in Romania. Moving toward Eastern Europe, the species is also located in Ukraine. Finally, the plant's range reaches as far as China, specifically within the South-Central portion of the country.

Region Area Source
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia WCVP
Middle Europe Germany WCVP
Southeastern Europe Romania WCVP
Eastern Europe Ukraine WCVP
China China South-Central WCVP
China China North-Central WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
Eastern Asia Japan WCVP
Eastern Asia Korea WCVP
Eastern Asia Taiwan WCVP

Chemicals

Macleaya cordata has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 43 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include sanguinarine, chelerythrine, protopine, allocryptopine, Sanguinarine.

Total chemicals
15
Scientific sources
43

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
sanguinarine 11 ★★★★★
chelerythrine 7 ★★★★☆
protopine 6 ★★★☆☆
allocryptopine 5 ★★★☆☆
Sanguinarine 3 ★★☆☆☆
chelidonine 2 ★☆☆☆☆
6-(1-hydroxyethyl)-5,6-dihydrochelerythrine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Dihydrochelerythrine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Pb 1 ★☆☆☆☆
angoline 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Macleaya cordata has 10 reported activities identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antitumor, Analgesic, Anticancer, Antifungal.

Total activities
10
Scientific sources
14

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 4 ★★☆☆☆
Antitumor 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antifungal 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiinflammatory 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiparasitic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Insecticide 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Macleaya cordata has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, Cancer, MRSA, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Parkinson's disease.

Total uses
14
Scientific sources
15

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
inflammation 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
MRSA 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Parkinson's disease 1 ★☆☆☆☆
analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
antidepressants 1 ★☆☆☆☆
arthritis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
autoimmunity 1 ★☆☆☆☆
bacterial infections 1 ★☆☆☆☆