Psorospermum senegalense

Psorospermum senegalense, commonly known as the Senegalese bush, is a significant medicinal shrub native to African savannahs. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, various parts of this plant are traditionally utilized to treat ailments ranging from skin infections to gastrointestinal issues, playing a vital role in ethnomedicine.

  • Scientific name: Psorospermum senegalense
  • Family: Hypericaceae
  • Native range: Africa

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 positioned in the order Malpighiales and the family Hypericaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Psorospermum, specifically as the species Psorospermum senegalense.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Malpighiales WCVP
Family Hypericaceae WCVP
Genus Psorospermum WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Psorospermum senegalense, is known by various regional names depending on the local language. For instance, in ha, it is commonly referred to as Hunda tukunya.
Language Common Name Source
ha Hunda tukunya Wikidata

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Within this area, it can be found growing in the nation of Burkina. Its range also extends to the coastal and inland territories of Gambia. Furthermore, the species is documented to inhabit Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, its geographical presence includes the vast landscapes of Mali.

Region Area Source
West Tropical Africa Burkina WCVP
West Tropical Africa Gambia WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea-Bissau WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea WCVP
West Tropical Africa Mali WCVP
West Tropical Africa Senegal WCVP
West Tropical Africa Sierra Leone WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa DR Congo WCVP
Northeast Tropical Africa Chad WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Psorospermum senegalense, utilizes its leaves as a primary component in various traditional medicinal applications. These leaves are often harvested and processed to extract their bioactive compounds, which are believed to possess significant therapeutic properties. In many local practices, the foliage is employed in decoctions or infusions to treat various ailments, highlighting the vital role that the leaves play in the plant's pharmacological profile.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Psorospermum senegalense has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiepileptic.

Total activities
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antiepileptic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Psorospermum senegalense has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria.

Total uses
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
malaria 1 ★☆☆☆☆