Millingtonia hortensis
Millingtonia hortensis, commonly known as the Indian Cork Tree, is a magnificent deciduous tree prized for its fragrant, creamy-white blossoms. Beyond its ornamental beauty, this species holds significant ethnobotanical value, with various parts used in traditional medicine to treat ailments ranging from skin infections to digestive issues and inflammation.
- Scientific name: Millingtonia hortensis
- Family: Bignoniaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Bignoniaceae and falls under the genus Millingtonia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Bignoniaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Millingtonia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Millingtonia hortensis, is known by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In Chinese, it is referred to as 老鸦烟筒花 (zh-hans), 老鴉煙筒花 (zh-hant), and 老鴉煙筒花 (zh-hk). In German-speaking regions, it is commonly called Jasminbaum, while in Malayalam, it is known as കോർക്കുമരം.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 老鸦烟筒花 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 老鴉煙筒花 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 老鴉煙筒花 | Wikidata |
| de | Jasminbaum | Wikidata |
| ml | കോർക്കുമരം | Wikidata |
| bn | হিমঝুরি | Wikidata |
| te | ఆకాశమల్లి | Wikidata |
| km | អង្គាបុស្ប | Wikidata |
| kn | ಆಕಾಶಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ | Wikidata |
| es | Millingtonia | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions in Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in both India and Bangladesh. Its range extends further into the Indo-China region, specifically encompassing the Andaman Islands. In East Asia, the species is located throughout South-Central China. Additionally, the plant is distributed across the Arabian Peninsula, including the various Gulf States.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Arabian Peninsula | Gulf States | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Andaman Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the Millingtonia tree or Indian Cork tree, utilizes its large, fragrant white flowers as a primary component in traditional medicinal practices. These blossoms are characterized by their tubular shape and intense scent, which are often harvested for their perceived therapeutic properties. In various herbal traditions, the flowers are utilized to address specific ailments, contributing to the plant's reputation as a valuable botanical resource.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flowers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Millingtonia hortensis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Hispidulin.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Hispidulin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Millingtonia hortensis has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiaging, Antimicrobial, Cholagogue, Tonic.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antiaging | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cholagogue | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tonic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Millingtonia hortensis has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, asthma, cellular senescence, diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative disease.
- Total uses
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cellular senescence | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neurodegenerative disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sinusitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |