Pentadesma butyracea

Pentadesma butyracea, commonly known as "Palo de Brasil," is a medicinal plant native to South America. Renowned for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it is traditionally used to treat skin ailments, promote healing, and support digestive health. This versatile botanical offers significant potential for modern pharmacological research.

  • Scientific name: Pentadesma butyracea
  • Family: Clusiaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Pentadesma butyracea, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is classified under the family Clusiaceae and the genus Pentadesma.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Malpighiales WCVP
Family Clusiaceae WCVP
Genus Pentadesma WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Pentadesma butyracea, is known by various common names depending on the region and language. In Chinese, it is referred to as 猪油果 (zh-hans, zh, zh-hk) or 豬油果 (zh-hant), and in Indonesia, it is commonly known as Binar (id).
Language Common Name Source
zh-hans 猪油果 Wikidata
zh-hant 豬油果 Wikidata
zh-hk 豬油果 Wikidata
zh 猪油果 Wikidata
id Binar Wikidata
fr Arbre à chandelle Wikidata
fr Beurre de Kpangnan Wikidata

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Pentadesma butyracea, exhibits a specific range across the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented throughout several key nations within this geographical belt. Specifically, the species can be found growing in the territories of Benin and Burkina. It also extends its distribution into the countries of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, the plant is recorded as being part of the natural flora in Guinea.

Region Area Source
West Tropical Africa Benin WCVP
West Tropical Africa Burkina 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 Mali WCVP
West Tropical Africa Nigeria WCVP
West Tropical Africa Sierra Leone WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Pentadesma butyracea, derives its medicinal utility primarily from its woody structures, specifically the stem bark and the general bark of the tree. The stem bark is often the focal point for harvesting bioactive compounds, as it contains the concentrated secondary metabolites required for therapeutic applications. Whether utilized as the bark from specific stem sections or the broader bark of the main trunk, these parts are traditionally processed to extract the essential properties needed for various medicinal preparations.
Total parts
2
Scientific sources
2
Plant Part Sources Confidence
stem bark 1 ★☆☆☆☆
bark 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Pentadesma butyracea has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include lupeol.

Total chemicals
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
lupeol 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Pentadesma butyracea has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include breast cancer.

Total uses
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
breast cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆