Pericopsis laxiflora

Pericopsis laxiflora, commonly known as African Rosewood, is a significant medicinal tree native to African tropical forests. Renowned for its bioactive properties, various parts of the plant are utilized in traditional medicine to treat ailments ranging from skin infections to digestive issues, offering profound potential for modern pharmacological research.

  • Scientific name: Pericopsis laxiflora
  • 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 is identified by the genus Pericopsis.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Fabales WCVP
Family Fabaceae WCVP
Genus Pericopsis WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Pericopsis laxiflora, is known by various regional names depending on the language spoken. In Wolof, it is referred to as Kullu-kullu (wo), while in Dagbani, it is called Kpiliga (dag), and in Bambara, it is known as Kolokolo (bm).
Language Common Name Source
wo Kullu-kullu Wikidata
dag Kpiliga Wikidata
bm Kolokolo Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern within the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing in the country of Benin. Additionally, its presence is documented across the territory of Burkina. The species is also native to the regions of Gambia and Ghana. Finally, its geographical range extends into Guinea-Bissau.

Region Area Source
West Tropical Africa Benin WCVP
West Tropical Africa Burkina WCVP
West Tropical Africa Gambia 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 Mali WCVP
West Tropical Africa Nigeria WCVP
West Tropical Africa Niger WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Pericopsis laxiflora, is a valuable medicinal species where the stem bark serves as a primary part used for its therapeutic properties. In traditional medicinal practices, the bark is harvested from the stem to extract bioactive compounds that are believed to possess various healing qualities. The utilization of the stem bark highlights the importance of the tree's structural components in folk medicine, as it contains the concentrated chemical constituents necessary for its medicinal efficacy.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
stem bark 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Pericopsis laxiflora has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include polyphenols, tannins.

Total chemicals
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
polyphenols 1 ★☆☆☆☆
tannins 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Pericopsis laxiflora has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticonvulsant, Depressant.

Total activities
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Anticonvulsant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Depressant 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Pericopsis laxiflora has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, trypanosomes.

Total uses
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
malaria 1 ★☆☆☆☆
trypanosomes 1 ★☆☆☆☆