Mucuna birdwoodiana
Mucuna birdwoodiana, commonly known as a climbing legume, is a significant medicinal plant native to tropical forests. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, it is traditionally utilized in various cultures to treat ailments ranging from skin infections to neurological issues, offering a rich potential for modern pharmacological research and development.
- Scientific name: Mucuna birdwoodiana
- Family: Fabaceae
- 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 Fabales, falling into the family Fabaceae. Specifically, Mucuna birdwoodiana is identified by its genus, Mucuna.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Mucuna | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Mucuna birdwoodiana, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In Mandarin Chinese (zh and zh-cn) as well as in Traditional Chinese used in Taiwan (zh-tw), it is called 白花油麻藤, while in Cantonese (yue) it is known as 禾雀花. Additionally, in Arabic (ar), it is identified as ميقونة بيردوودية.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 白花油麻藤 | Wikidata |
| ar | ميقونة بيردوودية | Wikidata |
| yue | 禾雀花 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 白花油麻藤 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 白花油麻藤 | Wikidata |
| zh | 血枫藤 | Wikidata |
| zh | 大蓝布麻 | Wikidata |
| zh | 鸡血藤 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific range of occurrence within the Asian continent. Its distribution is primarily concentrated in certain regions of China. Specifically, it can be found growing across China South-Central. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit the areas of China Southeast. These locations define the known geographical footprint for Mucuna birdwoodiana.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Mucuna birdwoodiana, is a large woody climber that utilizes various structures for growth and support. While much of its medicinal potential is associated with its seeds and foliage, the physical architecture of the vine relies heavily on its robust stalks. These sturdy, climbing stalks act as the primary structural framework, allowing the plant to ascend through forest canopies to reach sunlight, while also serving as the essential conduits for transporting nutrients and water throughout its extensive system.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stalks | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Mucuna birdwoodiana has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include methyl asiatate, methyl maslinate, mucunagenin b.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| methyl asiatate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methyl maslinate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| mucunagenin b | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |