Memecylon edule
Memecylon eduled, commonly known as the African Sandalwood, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to sub-Saharan Africa. Renowned for its aromatic properties, it is traditionally utilized in various folk remedies to treat skin ailments, respiratory issues, and inflammation, offering significant ethnobotanical value in regional holistic healing practices.
- Scientific name: Memecylon edule
- Family: Melastomataceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Myrtales, it is classified under the family Melastomataceae. Its specific taxonomic placement is defined by the genus Memecylon, specifically the species Memecylon 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, known scientifically as Memeilcylon edule, is recognized by various regional common names across different languages. In Thailand, it is referred to as พลองเหมือด, while in the Tamil language, it is known by the names பூவை and காயா. Additionally, in Kannada, the plant is commonly called ಒಳ್ಳೆ ಕೊಡಿ.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| th | พลองเหมือด | Wikidata |
| ta | பூவை | Wikidata |
| kn | ಒಳ್ಳೆ ಕೊಡಿ | Wikidata |
| ta | காயா | Wikidata |
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. Its range also extends into the Indo-China region, where it is present in Cambodia. Additionally, the species is documented inhabiting the Andaman Islands. Together, these locations highlight the wide ecological footprint of Memecylon eduled across South 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 edule, is highly valued in traditional medicine, with its medicinal properties often derived from its foliage. Specifically, the fresh leaves are frequently utilized in various therapeutic preparations due to their bioactive compounds. By using the leaves in their fresh state, practitioners aim to preserve the potency of the plant's natural constituents for healing purposes.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fresh leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Memecylon edule has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include acid phosphatase, alcohol dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, esterase, peroxidase.
- Total chemicals
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| acid phosphatase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alcohol dehydrogenase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alkaline phosphatase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| esterase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| peroxidase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Memecylon edule has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include burns, wound.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| burns | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wound | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |