Searsia retinorrhoea
Searsia retinorrhoea, commonly known as the Karoo Rose, is a versatile evergreen shrub native to Southern Africa. Renowned for its medicinal properties, various parts of this plant are traditionally used to treat ailments ranging from digestive issues to skin inflammations, making it a significant botanical resource in folk medicine.
- Scientific name: Searsia retinorrhoea
- Family: Anacardiaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Sapindales and the family Anacardiaceae. Finally, it is identified under the genus Searsia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Anacardiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Searsia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Searsia retinorrhoea, is referred to by several different common names depending on the linguistic context. In English, it is frequently called the Karoo rose, while in Afrikaans, it is known as die Karoo-roos.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical range concentrated within the Northeast Tropical Africa region. It is naturally distributed across several key countries, including Djibouti and Eritrea. Furthermore, its presence is well-documented throughout the diverse landscapes of Ethiopia and Somalia. The species also extends its reach into the territories of both Sudan and South Sudan. Consequently, its habitat is primarily defined by these specific nations in the northeastern part of the continent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Djibouti | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Eritrea | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Somalia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| Arabian Peninsula | Oman | WCVP |
| Arabian Peninsula | Saudi Arabia | WCVP |
| Arabian Peninsula | Yemen | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the Karoo rose, is valued for its therapeutic properties, which are primarily derived from its aerial parts. These above-ground components, encompassing the leaves, stems, and flowers, contain the various bioactive compounds necessary for its medicinal applications. By utilizing the aerial parts, practitioners can access the plant's essential chemical constituents, which are often harvested during specific growth stages to ensure maximum potency.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |