Mesua ferrea
Mesua ferrea, commonly known as Ceylon ironwood, is a majestic evergreen tree native to South Asia. Renowned for its fragrant, waxy white flowers and dense, durable timber, it holds significant value in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Its various parts are utilized for their potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant therapeutic properties.
- Scientific name: Mesua ferrea
- Family: Calophyllaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Malpighiales, it is a member of the family Calophyllaceae. Finally, it is placed under the genus Mesua, specifically known as Mesua ferrea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Calophyllaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Mesua | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Mesua ferrea, is recognized by various regional names across different languages. In Hindi, it is called नाग केसर, while in Sinhala, it is referred to as නා. In Indonesia, the plant is commonly known as Naga sari, and in Malayalam, it is called നാഗകേസരം. Additionally, in Marathi, it is identified as Мезуя.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| hi | नाग केसर | Wikidata |
| si | නා | Wikidata |
| id | Nagasari | Wikidata |
| ml | നാഗകേസരം | Wikidata |
| mrj | Мезуя | Wikidata |
| mr | नागचाफा | Wikidata |
| te | ఉప్ప చెట్టు | Wikidata |
| ru | Мезуя железная | Wikidata |
| kn | ನಾಗಸಂಪಿಗೆ | Wikidata |
| ta | நாகமரம் | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, its presence is noted specifically in the South-Central and Southeast territories. Moving into the Indian Subcontinent, it is found within the lush landscapes of Assam. The species also thrives in the environmental conditions of Bangladesh. Finally, its range extends to the unique ecosystems of the East Himalaya.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Andaman Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Ceylon ironwood, offers various therapeutic components that are utilized in traditional medicine. The fragrant flowers are highly valued not only for their aesthetic beauty but also for their aromatic properties in herbal preparations. Additionally, the plant produces an oleo-gum resin that can be harvested and used for its specific medicinal qualities in treating various ailments.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| oleo-gum resin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flower | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Mesua ferrea has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, Isoledene, alloaromadendrene, betulin, cyperene.
- Total chemicals
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 5-hydroxymethylfurfural | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Isoledene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alloaromadendrene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| betulin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cyperene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethyl palmitate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| friedelin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| friedelinol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isovitexin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oleamide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Mesua ferrea has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum, Staphylococcus aureus, cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, colorectal carcinoma.
- Total uses
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Plasmodium falciparum | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cholangiocarcinoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colorectal carcinoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lipid peroxidation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| parasitemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |