Maytenus laevis
Maytenus laevis, commonly known as the smooth celastrus, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to tropical regions. Renowned for its diverse pharmacological properties, it is traditionally used to treat skin ailments, inflammation, and digestive issues. This plant offers significant potential for developing new therapeutic agents in modern herbal medicine.
- Scientific name: Maytenus laevis
- Family: Celastraceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Further taxonomic details place it in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Celastrales, falling under the family Celastraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Maytenus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Celastrales | WCVP |
| Family | Celastraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Maytenus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Maytenus laevis, is recognized by various traditional names across different linguistic groups. In Quechua, it is commonly referred to as Chuchuwasu, while in Spanish, it carries several regional variations including chuchuhuazo, chuchuguaza, and chuchuguasi. Additionally, it is known by the name capinuri.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| qu | Chuchuwasu | Wikidata |
| es | chuchuhuazo | Wikidata |
| es | chuchuguaza | Wikidata |
| es | chuchuguasi | Wikidata |
| es | capinuri | Wikidata |
| es | chuchuhuasha | Wikidata |
| es | chuchuhuasi | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several distinct regions of the South American continent. In Northern South America, its habitat includes the territories of both Guyana and Venezuela. Moving toward the western part of the continent, the species can also be found within Colombia. Furthermore, its distribution extends into the northern reaches of Brazil. Together, these locations define the specific geographical range of Maytenus laevis.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern South America | Guyana | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Venezuela | WCVP |
| Western South America | Colombia | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil North | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Maytenus laevis, is a medicinal species where the bark serves as a significant component for therapeutic use. The bark is often harvested for its specific chemical properties, which are utilized in traditional medicinal practices to address various ailments. Depending on the preparation method, such as decoctions or extracts, the bark provides essential bioactive compounds that contribute to the plant's overall healing potential.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Maytenus laevis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include canophyllol.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| canophyllol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |