Pleiocarpa bicarpellata

Pleiocarpia bicarpellata, commonly known as a vital medicinal shrub in certain tropical regions, holds significant ethnobotanical importance. Renowned for its diverse bioactive compounds, this plant is traditionally utilized to treat various ailments. Research continues to explore its potential pharmacological properties, highlighting its value in developing modern therapeutic treatments.

  • Scientific name: Pleiocarpa bicarpellata
  • Family: Apocynaceae
  • 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 Gentianales, it is classified under the family Apocynaceae and the genus Pleiocarpa. Specifically, the species is identified as Pleiocarpa bicarpellata.

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

Common Names

This plant, Pleiocarpia bicarpellata, is known by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In English, it is referred to as the bicarpellate pleiocarp, while in French, it is called pleiocarpia bicarpellata. In local contexts within its native regions, such as in Swahili, it is known as mnyonyo, and in certain parts of Africa, it is also referred to as kinyonyo.
Language Common Name Source

Distribution

This plant is native to the West-Central Tropical Africa region. Its geographical range specifically includes the nation of Cameroon. Furthermore, it can be found growing within the borders of Gabon. The species is also distributed throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Finally, its presence extends to the territories of Congo and Cabinda.

Region Area Source
West-Central Tropical Africa Cabinda WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Cameroon WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Congo WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Gabon WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa DR Congo WCVP
East Tropical Africa Kenya WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Pleiocarpia bicarpellata, is primarily recognized for its medicinal properties which are often associated with its vegetative structures, specifically the leaves. These leaves serve as the main site for the synthesis of various bioactive compounds and secondary metabolites that contribute to the plant's therapeutic potential. In many traditional applications, the leaves are harvested and processed to extract the chemical constituents necessary for healing, making them the most significant part of the plant for pharmacological use.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Pleiocarpa bicarpellata has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiplasmodial, Cytotoxic.

Total activities
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antiplasmodial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Pleiocarpa bicarpellata has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum.

Total uses
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Plasmodium falciparum 1 ★☆☆☆☆