Miconia albicans
Miconia albicans, commonly known as the white miconia, is a distinctive shrub native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. Characterized by its striking silvery foliage and vibrant berries, this resilient plant plays a vital role in its ecosystem, offering significant medicinal potential in traditional healing practices.
- Scientific name: Miconia albicans
- Family: Melastomataceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Myrtales, specifically within the family Melastomataceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Miconia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Myrtales | WCVP |
| Family | Melastomataceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Miconia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Miconia albicans, is known by various common names depending on the region and language. In English, it is frequently referred to as white miconia, while in Spanish, it is commonly called miconia blanca. In Portuguese, the species is known as miconia-branca.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical range stretching from North to Central America. In Mexico, its presence is documented across the Gulf regions, the Southwest, and the Southeast. The distribution continues southward into Central America, where it can be found in Belize. Additionally, the species is known to inhabit the tropical landscapes of Costa Rica. Together, these locations highlight the diverse environmental niches this medicinal plant occupies.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southeast | WCVP |
| Central America | Belize | WCVP |
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | Guatemala | WCVP |
| Central America | Honduras | WCVP |
| Central America | Nicaragua | WCVP |
| Central America | Panamá | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Cuba | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Miconia albicans, possesses distinct morphological features across its various components. The stems are characterized by their woody structure, providing the necessary support for the plant's growth and branching patterns. The leaves are broad and prominent, serving as the primary site for photosynthesis. Specifically, each individual leaf displays a unique texture and vein pattern that is characteristic of the species, contributing to its overall botanical identification.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Miconia albicans has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include corosolic acid, flavonoids, gallic acid, quercetin, quercitrin.
- Total chemicals
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| corosolic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gallic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercitrin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rutin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Miconia albicans has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Staphylococcus aureus, inflammation, pain, pleurisy, rheumatoid arthritis.
- Total uses
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pleurisy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatoid arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |