Pristimera celastroides
Pristimera celastroides, commonly known as "Palo de Sangre," is a remarkable medicinal shrub valued for its distinctive red sap. Rich in bioactive alkaloids, this plant is deeply embedded in traditional ethnobotany, where it is frequently utilized for its potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties in various herbal remedies.
- Scientific name: Pristimera celastroides
- Family: Celastraceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Pristimera celastroides, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Celastrales and the family Celastraceae. Its taxonomic lineage concludes within the genus Pristimera.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Celastrales | WCVP |
| Family | Celastraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Pristimera | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Pristimera celastroides, is known by various common names depending on the region and language. In English, it is frequently referred to as the celastrus-leafed starburst, while in Spanish, it is commonly called estrella de mayo. In Portuguese, it is known as estrela-de-maio, and in the local contexts of certain regions, it may also be referred to as flor-de-maio.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread presence across various regions within Mexico. Its distribution can be found throughout the central part of the country, specifically in Mexico Central. Additionally, the species is documented in the northeastern territories of Mexico Northeast. It also extends its range into the coastal areas of Mexico Gulf. Finally, its occurrence continues into both the Mexico Northwest and the Mexico Southwest regions.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Mexico Central | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northeast | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southeast | WCVP |
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | El Salvador | WCVP |
| Central America | Guatemala | WCVP |
| Central America | Honduras | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Pristimera celastroides, possesses various components that are utilized in traditional medicinal practices. The structure of the plant is supported by its woody stems, which provide the necessary framework for growth. For therapeutic purposes, practitioners often focus on the root bark, specifically utilizing the medicinal properties found within the root barks to prepare decoctions or extracts. Additionally, the green leaves of the plant are another significant part used in different applications, making the entire morphology of the plant relevant to its ethnobotanical use.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root barks | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Pristimera celastroides has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic, Gastroprotective.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gastroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |