pearl-fruit
Margyricarpus pinnatus · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (2 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Pearl-fruit, scientifically known as Margyricarpus pinnatus, is a remarkable medicinal plant valued for its diverse therapeutic properties. Native to tropical regions, this species is traditionally utilized in folk medicine to treat various ailments. Its unique botanical characteristics and bioactive compounds make it a subject of significant ethnobotanical interest.
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Native range
- Southern America
- Parts used
- Aerial Parts
- Common names
- Pearl-Fruit · Pearlfruit
- Scientific synonyms
- Margyricarpus Imberbis · Margyricarpus Laevis · 7 more
Names
Common Names
- Pearl-fruit
- pearlfruit
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Yerba de la perdiz
- bichilla
German:
- Perlbeere
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Margyricarpus pinnatusSynonyms
- Margyricarpus imberbis
- Margyricarpus laevis
- Margyricarpus patagonicus
- Margyricarpus pinnatus var. hirsutus
- Margyricarpus setosus var. paucifoliolatus
- Empetrum pinnatum
- Margyricarpus setosus var. patagonicus
- Margyricarpus setosus
- Ancistrum barbatum
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae, it is specifically classified under the genus Margyricarpus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Rosales | WCVP |
| Family | Rosaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Margyricarpus | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the South American continent. It can be found throughout several regions of Western South America, including Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador. Additionally, its range extends into Peru within the same western longitudinal belt. Beyond these western territories, the species is also present in the Brazil West-Central region. Consequently, its habitat spans both the Andean corridor and parts of the Brazilian interior.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western South America | Bolivia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Colombia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Ecuador | WCVP |
| Western South America | Peru | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil West-Central | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil South | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Argentina Northeast | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Argentina South | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Argentina Northwest | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Chile Central | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Margyricarpus pinnatus, is primarily utilized in traditional medicine through its aerial parts. These above-ground structures, which encompass the leaves, stems, and flowers, contain the concentrated bioactive compounds necessary for its therapeutic applications. By harvesting the aerial parts, practitioners can access the essential phytochemicals found in the foliage and reproductive organs, which are often prepared as infusions, decoctions, or extracts to harness the plant's healing properties.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| aerial parts | Phytochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Margyricarpus pinnatus has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include benzyl-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| benzyl-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
benzyl-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside
- Phytochemistry
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| aerial parts | Phytochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |