Sapium
Sapium, commonly known as Euphorbiaceae, encompasses a diverse genus of flowering plants valued for their unique chemical properties. Often found in tropical and subtropical regions, many species contain specialized latex used in traditional medicine. While scientifically significant, caution is essential due to the potential toxicity of their sap.
- Scientific name: Sapium
- Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malpighiales, it is classified under the family Euphorbiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is placed within the genus Sapium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Euphorbiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Sapium | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known by various names depending on the language, is referred to as 美洲桕属 (or 美洲桕属 in simplified Chinese) in Chinese, while in Japanese it is called シラキ属. In Arabic-speaking regions, it is commonly known as شمع, a name that is also used in Egyptian Arabic as شمع.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 美洲桕属 | Wikidata |
| ja | シラキ属 | Wikidata |
| ar | شمع | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 美洲桕属 | Wikidata |
| arz | شمع | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 乌桕屬 | Wikidata |
| ms | Pokok Ludai | Wikidata |
| sl | sapij | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 美洲桕属 | Wikidata |
| zh | 乌桕属 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide-ranging presence throughout various regions of Mexico. It can be found growing across the central parts of the country in Mexico Central. Furthermore, its distribution extends into the northeastern territories of Mexico Northeast. The species is also documented within the coastal areas of Mexico Gulf. Finally, its geographical reach includes 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 | Belize | WCVP |
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | El Salvador | WCVP |
| Central America | Guatemala | WCVP |
Chemicals
Sapium has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, steroids, tannins, terpenoids.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Sapium has 7 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antihypertensive, Antiinflammatory, Antimicrobial.
- Total activities
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Sapium has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include bacterial infections, cancers, constipation, dermatitis, eczema.
- Total uses
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| bacterial infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| constipation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dermatitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eczema | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| edema | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hernia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lumbago | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| snake bites | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wounds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |