Water Elder
Nuxia oppositifolia · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (5 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Water Elder, scientifically known as Nuxia oppositifolia, is a resilient aquatic perennial often found in wetland ecosystems. Renowned for its medicinal properties, this plant is traditionally utilized to treat inflammation and digestive ailments. Its unique ability to thrive in saturated soils makes it a vital component of riparian biodiversity.
Names
Common Names
- River-Elder
- Water-Elder
- river nuxia
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Nuxia oppositifoliaSynonyms
- Nuxia schlechteri
- Nuxia dentata
- Nuxia autunesii
- Nuxia tomentella
- Nuxia dentata var. glutinosa
- Nuxia capitata var. tomentella
- Nuxia tomentella var. typica
- Nuxia tomentella var. meridionalis
- Nuxia tomentella f. microphylla
- Nuxia tomentella f. farinosa
- Nuxia tomentella f. subdentata
- Lachnopylis oppositifolia
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Lamiales and the family Stilbaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Nuxia (noting the corrected spelling of Nuxia oppositifolia).
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Stilbaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Nuxia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its presence extends significantly into Northeast Tropical Africa as well. Specifically, it is located in the nations of Djibouti, Eritrea, and Ethiopia. Furthermore, the species is also documented to grow in Somalia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Djibouti | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Eritrea | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Somalia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Angola | WCVP |
Chemicals
Nuxia oppositifolia has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-Oxolupenal, Katononic acid.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Oxolupenal | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Katononic acid | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
3-Oxolupenal
- Biomolecules
Katononic acid
- Biomolecules
Activities
Nuxia oppositifolia has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antioxidant.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | Biomolecules (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | Biomolecules (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Nuxia oppositifolia has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| type 2 diabetes mellitus | Biomolecules (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| methanolic crude extract | Biomolecules (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |