Scutia myrtina
Scutia myrtina, commonly known as the "Wild Coffee" or "Sceletium" in certain regions, is a versatile medicinal shrub valued for its therapeutic properties. Rich in bioactive compounds, it is traditionally used to treat inflammatory conditions, skin ailments, and digestive issues, offering significant potential in contemporary pharmacological research and herbal medicine.
- Scientific name: Scutia myrtina
- Family: Rhamnaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. Specifically, it is part of the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Rosales, falling into the family Rhamnaceae. It is identified by the genus Scutia and the species Scutia myrtiina.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Rosales | WCVP |
| Family | Rhamnaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Scutia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Scutia myrtina, is known by several different names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Tamil, it is referred to as கொக்கிமுள்ளு, while in Malayalam, it is commonly called കൊക്കിമുള്ള്. The Chinese language features multiple names for this species, including 钩刺藤, 双刺藤, and 对刺藤.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ta | கொக்கிமுள்ளு | Wikidata |
| ml | കൊക്കിമുള്ള് | Wikidata |
| zh | 钩刺藤 | Wikidata |
| zh | 双刺藤 | Wikidata |
| zh | 对刺藤 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Burundi and Rwanda. Its presence is also well-documented within the vast territory of the DR Congo. Moving toward Northeast Tropical Africa, the species is located within the borders of Ethiopia. Finally, its range extends through the Sudan and South Sudan regions.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Rwanda | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Malawi | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the coastal prickly myrtle, possesses a woody structure where various components contribute to its overall biology. While the foliage and stems are often the most visible features, the roots serve as a vital foundation, anchoring the shrub firmly into the sandy or rocky soils of its coastal habitat and facilitating the absorption of essential nutrients and water.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Scutia myrtina has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Scutiaquinone B, scutiaquinone A, scutiaquinone B.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Scutiaquinone B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| scutiaquinone A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| scutiaquinone B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |