Portulacaria afra
Portulacaria afra, commonly known as Elephant Bush, is a resilient succulent native to South Africa. Highly valued in traditional medicine, it possesses potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Often used to treat skin ailments and digestive issues, this versatile plant serves as both a decorative ornamental and a natural remedy.
- Scientific name: Portulacaria afra
- Family: Didiereaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales, it is further categorized under the family Didieraceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is defined by the genus Portulacaria.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Didiereaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Portulacaria | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Portulacaria afra, is referred to by various names across different languages and cultures. In Persian, it is called پورتولاکاریا افرا, while in Afrikaans, it is commonly known as Spekboom. It is identified as رجلة الصبار in Arabic, and in French, it is simply referred to as Portulacaria. Additionally, in Chinese, the plant is known as 樹馬齒莧.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| fa | پورتولاکاریا افرا | Wikidata |
| af | Spekboom | Wikidata |
| ar | رجلة الصبار | Wikidata |
| fr | Portulacaria | Wikidata |
| zh | 樹馬齒莧 | Wikidata |
| hr | Slanina drvo | Wikidata |
| lt | Afrikinė portulakarija | Wikidata |
| he | רגלנית אפריקנית | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 樹馬齒莧 | Wikidata |
| fi | Pensasportulakka | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning across several continents. In Europe, it can be found in Spain within the southwestern region and in Sicilia throughout the southeast. Its presence extends into East Tropical Africa, specifically within the borders of Kenya. Additionally, it is located in Mozambique, which is part of South Tropical Africa. Finally, the species is also distributed across the Cape Provinces in Southern Africa.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Sicilia | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Cape Provinces | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Eswatini | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Northern Provinces | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Spekboom, is characterized by its distinctive succulent structure, where the most notable medicinal component is its fleshy leaves. These thick, moisture-retaining leaves serve as a vital reservoir for nutrients and water, making them highly resilient in arid environments. In traditional medicinal practices, these fleshy leaves are often utilized due to their unique chemical composition and ability to store essential bioactive compounds.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fleshy leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Portulacaria afra has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include alkanes, alkenes, esters, fatty acids, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| alkanes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alkenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| esters | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fatty acids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenanthrenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Portulacaria afra has 6 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antifungal, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiplasmodial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Portulacaria afra has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diarrhea, earaches, fever, hypertension, mouth ulcers.
- Total uses
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| earaches | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| mouth ulcers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| respiratory infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wounds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |