Piscidia carthagenensis
Piscidia cartagenensis, commonly known as Barbasco, is a powerful medicinal plant native to tropical regions. Renowned for its potent sedative and analgesic properties, it has long been used in traditional medicine to treat inflammation, pain, and neurological disorders. Its bioactive compounds offer significant potential for modern pharmacological research.
- Scientific name: Piscidia carthagenensis
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is specifically identified by the genus Piscidia, of which Piscidia caribbeanensis is a notable member.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Piscidia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Piscidia caribbeanica (often referred to in botanical literature as Piscidia carthagenensis), is recognized by various common names depending on the region and language. In English, it is frequently called Dogwood or Fishwood, names that reflect its historical uses. In Spanish, it is widely known as Barbasco, which is a term often associated with plants used for fishing. In Portuguese, the plant is referred to as Barbasco, and in French, it is known as Barbasco.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad presence across several distinct regions of Mexico. It can be found throughout Mexico Central and extends into the Mexico Northeast area. Furthermore, its distribution covers the Mexico Southwest and the Mexico Southeast territories. Beyond the borders of Mexico, the species is also documented within Central America. Specifically, it is known to grow in the country of Costa Rica.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Mexico Central | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northeast | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southeast | WCVP |
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | El Salvador | WCVP |
| Central America | Guatemala | WCVP |
| Central America | Honduras | WCVP |
| Central America | Nicaragua | WCVP |
| Central America | Panamá | WCVP |
Activities
Piscidia carthagenensis has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal, Cytotoxic, Pesticide.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pesticide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |