Common Currant

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Common Currant
• Common Currant-Rhus
• Fire-Thorn
• Firethorn Crowberry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rhus villosa var. tomentosa
• Rhus villosa var. gallaensis
• Rhus villosa var. cuneifoliolata
• Rhus steudneri
• Rhus vulgaris
• Rhus baurii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Sapindales and the family Anacardiaceae. Ultimately, it is identified as a member of the genus Searsia, specifically the variety Searsia pyroides var. pyroides.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern concentrated within the tropical regions of the African continent. It can be found throughout West-Central Tropical Africa, including the nations of Burundi, Cameroon, Rwanda, and the DR Congo. Additionally, its range extends into Northeast Tropical Africa, where it is documented in Chad. These locations highlight the plant's preference for diverse West-Central and Northeastern tropical environments. Consequently, its geographical presence is defined by these specific clusters of tropical habitats.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Plant Parts

Searsia pyroides var. pyroides has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. PloS one

Chemicals

Searsia pyroides var. pyroides has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Glycosides, Phenols, Saponins, Tannins, Terpenoids.

Glycosides

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
2. PloS one

Phenols

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
2. PloS one

Saponins

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
2. PloS one

Tannins

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
2. PloS one

Terpenoids

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
2. PloS one

2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde

1. Planta medica

Flavonoids

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

methanol

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Activities

Searsia pyroides var. pyroides has 6 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimalarial, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Bacteriostatic.

Antibacterial

1. PloS one

Antimalarial

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Antimicrobial

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Antioxidant

1. PloS one

Bacteriostatic

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Tyrosinase-Inhibitor

1. Planta medica

Preparations

Searsia pyroides var. pyroides has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Rhus vulgaris fruit extract, methanol extract.

Rhus vulgaris fruit extract

1. PloS one

Methanol extract

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies