Memecylon edule var. edule
Memecylon edule var. eduled, commonly known as the "Grewia" or "Meme," is a versatile medicinal shrub native to African landscapes. Renowned for its therapeutic properties, its various parts are utilized in traditional medicine to treat ailments ranging from gastrointestinal issues to skin inflammations, offering significant ethnobotanical value.
- Scientific name: Memecylon edule var. edule
- Family: Melastomataceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized into the order Myrtales and the family Melastomataceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Memecylon as the specific variety Memecylon edule var. edule.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Myrtales | WCVP |
| Family | Melastomataceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Memecylon | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Memecylon edule var. edule, is known by various common names depending on the region and language. In English, it is frequently referred to as the edible bush or bush pepper, while in French, it is commonly called le poivre de forêt. In Portuguese, it is known as pimenta-de-mato, and in Spanish, it is referred to as pimienta de monte.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. Moving toward the Indo-China region, its presence extends to the Andaman Islands. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit parts of Cambodia. These locations highlight the broad range of its natural habitat across both the subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Andaman Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Nicobar Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
| Malesia | Borneo | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Memecylon eduled var. edule, is frequently utilized in traditional medicine, where the fresh leaves serve as a primary component for various therapeutic applications. These green, succulent leaves are often harvested to prepare decoctions or infusions, leveraging their specific bioactive compounds to treat ailments such as inflammation or digestive issues. Because the efficacy of the remedy often relies on the potency of the plant's natural constituents, using the leaves in their fresh state is a common practice in herbal preparations.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |