Plumbago auriculata
Cape leadwort
Plumbago auriculata, commonly known as Cape Leadwort, is a versatile evergreen shrub celebrated for its profuse, pale blue to white flowers. Beyond its ornamental appeal in gardens, this plant holds significant ethnobotanical value, with various cultures utilizing its leaves and roots in traditional medicinal practices to treat diverse ailments.
- Scientific name: Plumbago auriculata
- Family: Plumbaginaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Caryophyllales, it is classified under the family Plumbaginaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Plumbago, with the specific species being Plumbago auriculata.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Plumbaginaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Plumbago | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Plumbago auriculata, is recognized by various regional names across different languages. In German, it is referred to as Kap-Bleiwurz, while in Arabic, it is called رصاصية أذنية. It is known as নীল চিতা in Bengali, and in Catalan, it is called Gessamí blau. Additionally, in Danish, the species is commonly known as Blå Blyrod.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| de | Kap-Bleiwurz | Wikidata |
| ar | رصاصية أذنية | Wikidata |
| bn | নীল চিতা | Wikidata |
| ca | Gessamí blau | Wikidata |
| da | Blå Blyrod | Wikidata |
| fa | یاس آبی | Wikidata |
| fr | Dentellaire du Cap | Wikidata |
| nl | Mannentrouw | Wikidata |
| pl | Ołownik uszkowaty | Wikidata |
| sv | Blyblomma | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several regions of Southern Europe. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Spain and Portugal. Its presence also extends to the Balearic Islands within the same southwestern territory. Moving toward Southeastern Europe, the species is documented growing in Greece. Finally, its geographical range includes the various territories of Italy.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Kriti | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Sicilia | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Tunisia | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Canary Is. | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Madeira | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Cape Leadwort, is characterized by its dense and spreading foliage that provides a lush green backdrop for its blue flowers. The leaves are typically leathery and ovate, serving as the primary site for the plant's physiological processes. In various traditional medicinal practices, the leaf extract is utilized for its bioactive properties, often being processed to harness the therapeutic potential held within the plant's greenery.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| foliage | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Plumbago auriculata has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include plumbagin, Dichloromethane, citric acid, flavonoids, polyphenols.
- Total chemicals
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 12
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| plumbagin | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Dichloromethane | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| citric acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| starch | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Plumbago auriculata has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus.
- Total uses
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |