Plumbago indica
Indian leadwort
Plumbago indica, commonly known as Ceylon Leadwort, is a perennial shrub renowned for its striking clusters of white or pink flowers. Widely distributed across tropical Asia, this medicinal plant is highly valued in traditional medicine for its diverse therapeutic properties, particularly in treating skin ailments and various inflammatory conditions.
- Scientific name: Plumbago indica
- Family: Plumbaginaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Caryophyllales and the family Plumbaginaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Plumbago.
| 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 indica, is referred to by various common names across different languages and cultures. In Malayalam, it is called ചെത്തിക്കൊടുവേലി, while in Arabic, it is known as رصاصية هندية. It is called Röd blyblomma in Swedish and 紫花丹 in Chinese, and in Indonesia, it is commonly known as Akar binasa.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ml | ചെത്തിക്കൊടുവേലി | Wikidata |
| ar | رصاصية هندية | Wikidata |
| sv | Röd blyblomma | Wikidata |
| zh | 紫花丹 | Wikidata |
| id | Akar binasa | Wikidata |
| th | เจตมูลเพลิงแดง | Wikidata |
| ta | செங்கோடு (மலர்) | Wikidata |
| my | ကန့်ချုပ် | Wikidata |
| ast | Plumbago indica | Wikidata |
| ja | アカマツリ | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be found specifically in the South-Central areas as well as on Hainan island. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, its presence is well-documented in the state of Assam. Additionally, the species is widely distributed throughout Bangladesh within the same subcontinent. Finally, its range extends further into the mountainous terrain of the East Himalaya.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Plumbago indica, possesses a complex underground system featuring a primary root that serves as a central anchor. From this main structure, the plant develops specialized tuberous roots, which function as storage organs to hold nutrients. These are accompanied by a network of hairy roots that increase the surface area for efficient water and mineral absorption from the soil. Above the ground, the stem emerges to support the foliage and flowers, providing the necessary structural framework for the plant's growth. Although the roots are vital for stability, the entire subterranean system is essential for the medicinal properties often associated with this species.- Total parts
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 11
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| root | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| hairy roots | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tuberous roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Plumbago indica has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include plumbagin, Plumbagin, CAT, MDA, NO.
- Total chemicals
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 17
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| plumbagin | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| Plumbagin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CAT | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| MDA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| NO | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| POD | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| SOD | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant activity | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| proline | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Plumbago indica has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Anticoagulant, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticoagulant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Plumbago indica has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Caenorhabditis elegans, E. coli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Salmonella, anemia.
- Total uses
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 12
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Caenorhabditis elegans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| E. coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mycobacterium tuberculosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Salmonella | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| atherogenesis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cervical cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hemorrhoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| liver cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |