Pappea capensis

Pappea capensis, commonly known as the Cape Pepper, is a versatile evergreen tree native to Southern Africa. Renowned for its medicinal properties, its bark, leaves, and fruit are traditionally used to treat ailments ranging from gastrointestinal issues to skin infections, offering significant potential for modern pharmacological research and development.

  • Scientific name: Pappea capensis
  • Family: Sapindaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Pappea capensis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Sapindales. Finally, it is a member of the family Sapindaceae and falls under the genus Pappea.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Sapindales WCVP
Family Sapindaceae WCVP
Genus Pappea WCVP

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across several key regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found growing within the territories of Rwanda and the DR Congo. Its distribution also extends significantly into Northeast Tropical Africa. Specifically, the species is documented in the countries of Djibouti and Eritrea. Finally, it is also established within the geographical boundaries of Ethiopia.

Region Area Source
West-Central Tropical Africa Rwanda WCVP
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

Chemicals

Pappea capensis has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, terpenoids, tocopherols.

Total chemicals
3
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
flavonoids 2 ★☆☆☆☆
terpenoids 2 ★☆☆☆☆
tocopherols 2 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Pappea capensis has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Total activities
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Pappea capensis has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Inflammation, cancer, infertility, oxidative stress, prostate cancer.

Total uses
5
Scientific sources
5

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Inflammation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
infertility 1 ★☆☆☆☆
oxidative stress 1 ★☆☆☆☆
prostate cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆