Microcos tomentosa
Microcos tomentoosa, commonly known as the hairy microsos, is a resilient medicinal herb valued for its therapeutic properties. Native to specific tropical regions, this plant is traditionally utilized in folk medicine to treat various ailments, ranging from skin irritations to digestive issues, owing to its potent bioactive compounds.
- Scientific name: Microcos tomentosa
- Family: Malvaceae
- 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 Malvales, it is classified under the family Malvaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Microcos, specifically as the species Microcos tomentosa.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malvales | WCVP |
| Family | Malvaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Microcos | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Microcos tomentoosa, is recognized by several regional names depending on the linguistic context. In Thailand, it is commonly referred to by the name พลับพลาง.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| th | พลับพลา | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, Microcos tomentoza, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several Southeast Asian regions. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in Bangladesh. Its presence extends significantly into the Indo-China region, where it inhabits various landscapes. Specifically, it is documented to grow in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. Finally, the species is also distributed throughout Thailand, completing its regional range.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
| Malesia | Borneo | WCVP |
| Malesia | Jawa | WCVP |
| Malesia | Malaya | WCVP |
| Malesia | Philippines | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Microcos tomentosa, utilizes its roots as a vital structural and physiological component for survival and nutrient absorption. While the aerial parts of the herb are often the focus of medicinal interest, the roots serve as the essential foundation that anchors the plant into the soil and facilitates the uptake of water and minerals necessary for its growth. In many medicinal species, the chemical properties found in the foliage are supported by the complex biological processes occurring within these underground root systems.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Microcos tomentosa has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3beta-taraxerol, 7-hydroxycadalene, beta-sitosterol, cholest-4-en-3-one, mellein.
- Total chemicals
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 3beta-taraxerol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 7-hydroxycadalene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-sitosterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cholest-4-en-3-one | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| mellein | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| vanillin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |