Melia volkensii
Melia volkensii, commonly known as the African teak, is a vital medicinal tree indigenous to East African drylands. Renowned for its robust timber, it also serves a critical role in traditional medicine. Various parts of the tree are utilized to treat ailments ranging from skin infections to gastrointestinal issues.
- Scientific name: Melia volkensii
- Family: Meliaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Sapindales and the family Meliaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Melia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Meliaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Melia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Melia volkensii, is recognized by various regional names depending on the linguistic context. In Arabic, it is referred to as أزدرخت فولكنسي.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ar | أزدرخت فولكنسي | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across several key regions within the Northeast and East Tropical Africa sectors. Specifically, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Ethiopia and Somalia within Northeast Tropical Africa. Moving further south, its range extends into the East Tropical Africa region. Within this eastern zone, the species is notably present in both Kenya and Tanzania. Consequently, its geographical footprint covers a significant portion of the Horn of Africa and its neighboring territories.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Somalia | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Melia volkensii, offers various components that are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The root bark is often harvested and employed in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, such as skin infections or inflammatory conditions. Additionally, the seeds are recognized for their medicinal potential and are frequently used in specific herbal preparations to address different health concerns.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| root bark | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Melia volkensii has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,3-diacetylvilasinin, 12beta-hydroxykulactone, 16,23,24-triketomelianin B, 6beta-hydroxykulactone, kulactone.
- Total chemicals
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 1,3-diacetylvilasinin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 12beta-hydroxykulactone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 16,23,24-triketomelianin B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6beta-hydroxykulactone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kulactone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kulonate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| melianin B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| melianin C | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| meliavolkinin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Melia volkensii has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Mycobacterium tuberculosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |