Mussaenda frondosa
Mussaenda frondosa, commonly known as the Red Flag tree, is a striking ornamental plant celebrated for its vibrant, bract-filled blooms. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, various parts of this tropical species are utilized in traditional medicine to treat ailments like skin inflammation, fever, and respiratory issues, showcasing its significant ethnobotanical value.
- Scientific name: Mussaenda frondosa
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianales, it is classified under the family Rubiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Mussaenda and the species Mussaenda frondosa.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Rubiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Mussaenda | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Mussaenda frondosa, is known by various common names across different languages and regions. In Chinese, it is referred to as 洋玉叶金花 (zh-hans), 洋玉葉金花 (zh-hant), and 洋玉葉金花 (zh-hk). In Malayalam, it is called വെള്ളില (ml), while in Finnish, the plant is known as neidonhuivio (fi).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 洋玉叶金花 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 洋玉葉金花 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 洋玉葉金花 | Wikidata |
| ml | വെള്ളില | Wikidata |
| fi | neidonhuivio | Wikidata |
| zh | 洋玉叶金花 | Wikidata |
| vi | Bướm bạc lá | Wikidata |
| id | Kingkilaban | Wikidata |
| bn | নাগবল্লী | Wikidata |
| su | Kingkilaban | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across parts of Asia. In China, its presence is noted in the Hainan region as well as throughout China Southeast. The species is also widely distributed across the Indian Subcontinent. Within this subcontinent, it can be found growing in Assam and Bangladesh. Additionally, its range extends into the East Himalaya region.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Andaman Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known as Mussaenda frondosa, possesses various anatomical structures, though the root bark is a specific component of interest in traditional medicinal studies. While the plant is widely recognized for its large, colorful sepals and lush green foliage, the internal tissues of the root system are often scrutinized for their bioactive properties. In various ethnobotanical applications, different parts of the plant are utilized, but the chemical constituents found within the bark of the roots can play a significant role in its overall therapeutic profile.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| root bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |