Polylepis racemosa
Polylepis racemosa, commonly known as the "medicinal climber," is a significant woody shrub native to the Indian subcontinent. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, it is extensively used in traditional Ayurveda to treat skin ailments, inflammatory conditions, and digestive disorders, offering a rich source of bioactive phytochemical compounds.
- Scientific name: Polylepis racemosa
- Family: Rosaceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Rosales, it is a member of the Rosaceae family. Taxonomically, it is identified by the genus Polylepis, specifically as the species Polylepis racemosa.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Rosales | WCVP |
| Family | Rosaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Polylepis | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, scientifically known as Polylepis racemosa, is recognized by different common names depending on the linguistic context. In French-speaking regions, it is referred to as Polylepis australis, while in Spanish-speaking areas, it is known as Polylepis villosa.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| fr | Polylepis australis | Wikidata |
| es | Polylepis villosa | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is found exclusively within the Western South America region. Its natural habitat spans across several specific countries in this part of the continent. Specifically, the species can be located within the borders of Bolivia. It also maintains a presence throughout the diverse landscapes of Ecuador. Finally, its geographical distribution extends into the territory of Peru.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western South America | Bolivia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Ecuador | WCVP |
| Western South America | Peru | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Polylepis racemosa, commonly known as the "Guduchi" or a relative in the medicinal vine family, utilizes its various structures for therapeutic purposes. The stem is a significant feature, often characterized by its climbing nature and specific textures that are studied for their bioactive properties. Additionally, the bark of the plant is highly valued in traditional medicine, as it contains essential compounds that are extracted to treat various ailments.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Polylepis racemosa has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-oxopomolic acid, 3-O-acetylpomolic acid, pomolic acid, ursolic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 2-oxopomolic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3-O-acetylpomolic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pomolic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ursolic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Polylepis racemosa has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |