Periploca aphylla

Periploca aphylla, commonly known as the leafless periploca, is a deciduous shrub native to parts of Asia. Renowned in traditional medicine, it contains bioactive compounds used to treat various ailments. This plant is highly valued for its therapeutic potential, particularly in managing inflammation and supporting overall physiological health.

  • Scientific name: Periploca aphylla
  • Family: Apocynaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and order Gentianaales, it is further classified under the family Apocynaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Periploca.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Gentianales WCVP
Family Apocynaceae WCVP
Genus Periploca WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Periploca aphylla, is known by various regional names across different languages. In Hebrew, it is referred to as חלביב רותמי, while in Arabic, it is commonly called سواس (نبات) or simply سواس.
Language Common Name Source
he חלביב רותמי Wikidata
ar سواس (نبات) Wikidata
ar سواس Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning across parts of Africa and Western Asia. In Northeast Tropical Africa, its presence is noted within the regions of Sudan and South Sudan. Moving into Western Asia, the species can be found growing in the country of Afghanistan. Its range continues through Iran and Iraq, covering significant portions of the Middle Eastern landscape. Finally, the distribution extends to the territory of Palestine, completing its spread across these diverse regions.

Region Area Source
Northeast Tropical Africa Sudan-South Sudan WCVP
Western Asia Afghanistan WCVP
Western Asia Iran WCVP
Western Asia Iraq WCVP
Western Asia Palestine WCVP
Western Asia Sinai WCVP
Arabian Peninsula Gulf States WCVP
Arabian Peninsula Oman WCVP
Arabian Peninsula Saudi Arabia WCVP
Arabian Peninsula Yemen WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Periploca aphylla, is a medicinal shrub whose therapeutic potential is often studied through its various components. Research frequently utilizes the whole plant to investigate its comprehensive pharmacological profile, as the synergistic effects of its diverse chemical constituents contribute to its biological activities. To isolate and analyze these bioactive compounds, scientists typically prepare a methanolic extract, which serves as an efficient medium for recovering a wide range of polar and semi-polar secondary metabolites. By focusing on these specific plant parts and extraction methods, researchers can better understand the plant's medicinal properties and its potential applications in traditional and modern medicine.
Total parts
2
Scientific sources
2
Plant Part Sources Confidence
whole plant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
methanolic extract 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Periploca aphylla has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include oleanolic acid.

Total chemicals
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
oleanolic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆