Parastrephia quadrangularis
Parastrephia quadrangularis, commonly known as the "creeping bush" or "mora," is a resilient medicinal shrub native to various tropical regions. Renowned for its diverse pharmacological properties, this plant is traditionally utilized in folk medicine to treat inflammatory conditions, digestive ailments, and skin irritations, offering significant therapeutic potential.
- Scientific name: Parastrephia quadrangularis
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales, it is further categorized under the family Asteraceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Parastrephia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Parastrephia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Parastrephia quadrangularis, is recognized by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In English, it is most frequently referred to as squarestem aster, while in Spanish, it is commonly known as asterillo or asterillo de monte.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of South America. In the western part of the continent, it can be found growing within Bolivia. Its range extends into the southern portion of the continent as well. Specifically, it is located in the northwest region of Argentina. Finally, the species is also documented in the northern areas of Chile.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western South America | Bolivia | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Argentina Northwest | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Chile North | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as guayacán or Parasatrephia quadrangularis, is primarily utilized in traditional medicine through its aerial parts. These above-ground structures, which encompass the leaves, stems, and flowers, contain the diverse array of bioactive compounds necessary for its therapeutic properties. When preparing decoctions or infusions, practitioners typically harvest these aerial parts to harness the plant's medicinal potential.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Parastrephia quadrangularis has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include lignoceric acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| lignoceric acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| linoleic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| linolenic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oleic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| palmitic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |