Montrouziera sphaeroidea
Montrouziera sphaeroidea, commonly known as the sea hibiscus, is a resilient coastal shrub prized for its medicinal properties. Found in tropical maritime environments, this plant offers significant therapeutic potential. Traditionally used to treat skin ailments and inflammatory conditions, it remains a subject of interest in modern ethnobotanical research.
- Scientific name: Montrouziera sphaeroidea
- Family: Clusiaceae
- Native range: Pacific
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malpighiales, it is classified under the family Clusiaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Montrouziera, and its specific species name, sphaeroidea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Clusiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Montrouziera | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Montrouziera sphaeroidea, is known by a variety of different names depending on the region and language. In English, it is commonly referred to as the sphere-fruit or sphere-fruit tree. In French, it is called le fruit-sphère, while in Hawaiian, it is known as ʻāheahea. In Mauritian Creole, the plant is called piman-bouler, and in Malagasy, it is referred to as mavo.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant is characterized by a very specific and restricted geographical distribution. It is primarily found within the unique ecosystems of the Southwestern Pacific region. Within this vast area, its presence is notably concentrated in New Caledonia. This localized occurrence suggests that the species may be endemic to this particular island territory. Consequently, the plant plays a specialized role in the specific environmental landscape of its habitat.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Pacific | New Caledonia | WCVP |
Chemicals
Montrouziera sphaeroidea has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include montroumarin, montrouxanthone.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| montroumarin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| montrouxanthone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |