Pseudelephantopus spiralis
Pseudelephantopus spiralis, commonly known as the spiral elephantopus, is a medicinal herb valued in traditional pharmacology. Belonging to the Asteraceae family, this plant is recognized for its unique morphological features and diverse therapeutic properties. It is frequently studied for its potential bioactive compounds and significant role in holistic healing.
- Scientific name: Pseudelephantopus spiralis
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further organized into the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is defined by the genus Pseudelephantopus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Pseudelephantopus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Pseudelephantopus spiralis, is known by various local names depending on the region and language. In English, it is commonly referred to as the spiral elephant's foot, while in Chinese, it is known as tuo xue cao. In Vietnamese, the plant is called rau hẹ lân, and in Thai, it is called phak thit.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the tropical regions of Central America and the Caribbean. In Central America, its presence is documented in the countries of Costa Rica and Panamá. Moving into the Caribbean islands, the species can be found in Puerto Rico and Trinidad-Tobago. Additionally, its range extends to include the Windward Islands. Together, these locations define the natural habitat where this medicinal species thrives.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | Panamá | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Puerto Rico | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Trinidad-Tobago | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Windward Is. | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Venezuela | WCVP |
| Western South America | Bolivia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Colombia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Ecuador | WCVP |
| Western South America | Peru | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Pseudelephantopus spiralis, is primarily utilized in traditional medicinal practices through its aerial parts. These above-ground components, which typically include the leaves, stems, and flowers, contain the bioactive compounds necessary for its therapeutic effects. When preparing decoctions or extracts, the aerial parts are harvested to harness the plant's medicinal properties for various health applications.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Pseudelephantopus spiralis has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytoprotective.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Pseudelephantopus spiralis has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |