Rotheca serrata

Rotheca serrata, commonly known as the serrated leaf plant, is a versatile medicinal herb prized in traditional healing. Renowned for its potent bioactive compounds, it offers significant therapeutic benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. This resilient botanical serves as a vital resource in natural pharmacology and holistic wellness.

  • Scientific name: Rotheca serrata
  • Family: Lamiaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales, falling within the family Lamiaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by its genus, Rotheca, as part of the species Rotheca serrata.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Lamiales WCVP
Family Lamiaceae WCVP
Genus Rotheca WCVP

Common Names

This plant, scientifically known as Rotheca serrata, is recognized by various local names across different regions and languages. In Malayalam, it is commonly referred to as ചെറുതേക്ക് (cheruthekk), while in Indonesia, both the Indonesian (id) and Javanese (jv) languages use the name Senggugu. In Chinese, the plant is known as 三对节 (sānduìjié), and in Burmese, it is called ရင်းပြားနီပင် (riñpyā-nī-pin).
Language Common Name Source
ml ചെറുതേക്ക് Wikidata
id Senggugu Wikidata
zh 三对节 Wikidata
jv Senggugu Wikidata
my ရင်းပြားနီပင် Wikidata
mad Kertasè Wikidata
zh-cn 三对节 Wikidata
zh-tw 三對節 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across several distinct regions. In the Western Indian Ocean, it can be found growing in the Seychelles. Its presence in China is widespread, covering the South-Central, Southeast, and even the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Additionally, the species is distributed across the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within Assam. Together, these locations highlight the broad environmental adaptability of the species.

Region Area Source
Western Indian Ocean Seychelles WCVP
China China South-Central WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
China Tibet WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Assam WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Bangladesh WCVP
Indian Subcontinent East Himalaya WCVP
Indian Subcontinent India WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Nepal WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Pakistan WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Rothetica serrata, utilizes various components for its medicinal purposes, most notably its foliage. The leaf structure is a key identifier of the species, and practitioners often utilize the fresh leaves directly in traditional preparations to harness their active compounds. Furthermore, the leaves extract is frequently prepared to create concentrated solutions for topical or internal applications. While much of the medicinal focus remains on the greenery, the root also serves as a significant part of the plant's biological makeup and potential therapeutic profile.
Total parts
4
Scientific sources
5
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaf 2 ★☆☆☆☆
root 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaves extract 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fresh leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Rotheca serrata has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 9,12,15-octadecatrien-1-ol, flavonoid, oleamide, phenols, phytol.

Total chemicals
7
Scientific sources
7

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
9,12,15-octadecatrien-1-ol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
oleamide 1 ★☆☆☆☆
phenols 1 ★☆☆☆☆
phytol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
triterpenes 1 ★☆☆☆☆
ursolic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Rotheca serrata has 6 reported activities identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Antimalarial, Antiplasmodial.

Total activities
6
Scientific sources
9

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Anticancer 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Hepatoprotective 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimalarial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiplasmodial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antitussive 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Rotheca serrata has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, fever, hemorrhoids, inflammation.

Total uses
8
Scientific sources
8

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Candida albicans 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Staphylococcus aureus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fever 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hemorrhoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
malaria 1 ★☆☆☆☆
pain 1 ★☆☆☆☆
rheumatism 1 ★☆☆☆☆