Polyscias fruticosa
Ming aralia
Polyscias fruticosa, commonly known as Ming Aralia, is a versatile ornamental plant prized for its elegant, lace-like foliage. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this tropical shrub holds significant value in traditional medicine, where its leaves are utilized for their diverse therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in various cultures.
- Scientific name: Polyscias fruticosa
- Family: Araliaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Apiales and the family Araliaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Polyscias.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Apiales | WCVP |
| Family | Araliaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Polyscias | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Polyscias fruticosa, is recognized by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In Vietnamese, it is referred to as Đinh lăng, while in Azerbaijani, it is called Kolvari çoxçətirli. In Indonesia, the common name is Daun berlangkas, and in Malaysia, it is known as Kuku garuda. Furthermore, in Chinese, the plant is identified as 裂葉福祿桐.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| vi | Đinh lăng | Wikidata |
| az | Kolvari çoxçətirli | Wikidata |
| id | Daun berlangkas | Wikidata |
| ms | Kuku garuda | Wikidata |
| zh | 裂葉福祿桐 | Wikidata |
| th | เล็บครุฑไซ่ง่อน | Wikidata |
| ru | Полисциас кустарниковый | Wikidata |
| su | Kadongdong cina | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 南洋参 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 裂葉福祿桐 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across Asia and Africa. In South Tropical Africa, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Mozambique. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in Bangladesh. The species also inhabits various parts of Indo-China, including the territories of Myanmar. Finally, its range extends to the offshore islands of the Andaman and Nicobar groups.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Andaman Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Nicobar Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
| Malesia | Borneo | WCVP |
| Malesia | Jawa | WCVP |
| Malesia | Maluku | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Polyscias fruticosa, possesses various morphological features that are utilized in traditional medicine. The lush, green leaves are perhaps the most recognizable feature, often used in decoctions to treat various ailments. Specifically, a single leaf can be prepared to extract bioactive compounds beneficial for health. Furthermore, the roots of the plant are also significant, as they contain distinct medicinal properties that complement the therapeutic uses of the foliage.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 7
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| roots | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Polyscias fruticosa has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins, alismol, chikusetsusaponin IVa.
- Total chemicals
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 16
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alismol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chikusetsusaponin IVa | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| choline | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fatty acids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ladyginoside A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| piperine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sterols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Polyscias fruticosa has 11 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Adaptogenic, Analgesic, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticholinesterase.
- Total activities
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticholinesterase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihistaminic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Polyscias fruticosa has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's diseases, analgesic, anti-asthmatic, antidiabetic.
- Total uses
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Parkinson's disease | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer's diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anti-asthmatic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bronchospasm | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dementia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |