Pentaclethra macrophylla
Pentaclethrha macrophylla, commonly known as the large-leaved penta, is a versatile medicinal plant found in tropical regions. Renowned for its therapeutic properties, it is traditionally utilized in folk medicine to treat various ailments, including skin infections and inflammation. This botanical specimen serves as a vital resource in ethnopharmacology.
- Scientific name: Pentaclethra macrophylla
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae and the genus Pentaclethrha. Specifically, the medicinal species is identified as Pentaclethrha macrophylla.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Pentaclethra | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Pentaclethra macrophylla, is recognized by various regional names depending on the linguistic context. In French-speaking regions, it is commonly referred to as Mubala, while in Singaporean or specific dialectal contexts, it is called Kûmba, and among the Igbo people, it is known as Ugba.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| fr | Mubala | Wikidata |
| sg | Kûmba | Wikidata |
| ig | Ugba | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, Pentaclethrha macrophylla, is widely distributed across several countries in West Tropical Africa. Its presence is documented in the coastal and inland regions of Benin. Additionally, it can be found growing throughout the landscapes of Ghana. The species also extends its range into Guinea-Bissau and the nation of Guinea. Finally, the geographical reach of this medicinal plant includes the territory of Ivory Coast.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Pentaclethra macrophylla, utilizes its large, compound leaf as a primary component in various traditional medicinal practices. The leaf is characterized by its significant size and distinctive structure, often being employed in decoctions or topical applications to treat specific ailments. Because of its bioactive properties, the leaf serves as a vital part of the plant's medicinal profile, offering therapeutic benefits that are central to its ethnobotanical importance.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Pentaclethra macrophylla has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ash, fat.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| ash | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fat | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |