Miconia kappleri
Miconia kappleri, commonly known as a medicinal shrub in various tropical regions, is a significant species within the Melastomataceae family. Renowned for its diverse phytochemical properties, it is frequently utilized in traditional medicine to treat inflammatory conditions, skin ailments, and gastrointestinal issues, offering promising potential for modern pharmacological research.
- Scientific name: Miconia kappleri
- Family: Melastomataceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Myrtales, falling into 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 kappleri, is known by various names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In English, it is commonly referred to as the miconia or kappler's miconia. Within different Spanish-speaking regions, it is frequently called miconia, miconia de monte, or miconia de hojas grandes. In Portuguese, the species is recognized by the names miconia or miconia-de-folhas-grandes.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of the Neotropics. In the Caribbean, its presence is noted within the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Moving to Northern South America, it can be found spanning across French Guiana, Suriname, and Venezuela. Furthermore, its range extends into the South American continent through Brazil. Specifically, the species is documented to grow within the Northeast region of Brazil.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Caribbean | Trinidad-Tobago | WCVP |
| Northern South America | French Guiana | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Suriname | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Venezuela | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil Northeast | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Miconia kappleri, utilizes its leaves as a primary component in its medicinal profile. These leaves are characterized by their specific structure and vein patterns, which contain bioactive compounds that are often extracted for therapeutic use. In various traditional practices, the leaves serve as the principal part of the plant harvested to prepare remedies, leveraging their natural chemical properties to address different health concerns.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |