Silene undulata

African dream root

Silene undulata, commonly known as a unique member of the Caryophyllaceae family, is a medicinal plant valued for its distinctive morphological features. Found in specific ecological niches, this species holds significant ethnobotanical importance, offering potential therapeutic benefits through its bioactive compounds, making it a subject of scientific interest.

  • Scientific name: Silene undulata
  • Family: Caryophyllaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Caryophyllales, it is classified under the family Caryophyllaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Silene, representing the species Silene undulata.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Caryophyllales WCVP
Family Caryophyllaceae WCVP
Genus Silene WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known by various regional names, is referred to as silenkka kapská in Czech (cs), while in Russian (ru), Latvian (lv), and Dutch (nl), it is commonly called Silene capensis. Additionally, in Persian (fa), it is known as قلیانک غول‌پیکر.
Language Common Name Source
cs silenka kapská Wikidata
ru Silene capensis Wikidata
lv Silene capensis Wikidata
nl Silene capensis Wikidata
fa قلیانک غول‌پیکر Wikidata
ml സൈലീൻ ഉൻഡുലത Wikidata
ja シレネ・カペンシス Wikidata
zh 非洲梦根草 Wikidata
arz سيلين اوندولاتا Wikidata
zh-cn 非洲梦根草 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several regions of Southern Africa. Within the South Tropical Africa region, it can be specifically found in Zimbabwe. Its presence extends throughout Southern Africa, where it inhabits the landscapes of Botswana. Additionally, the species is documented across various parts of the Cape Provinces. Finally, its range includes the mountainous terrains of Lesotho as well as the coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal.

Region Area Source
South Tropical Africa Zimbabwe WCVP
Southern Africa Botswana WCVP
Southern Africa Cape Provinces WCVP
Southern Africa Lesotho WCVP
Southern Africa KwaZulu-Natal WCVP
Southern Africa Free State WCVP
Southern Africa Eswatini WCVP
Southern Africa Northern Provinces WCVP

Chemicals

Silene undulata has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include harmaline, harmalol, harmine, ibogaine, norharman.

Total chemicals
5
Scientific sources
5

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
harmaline 1 ★☆☆☆☆
harmalol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
harmine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
ibogaine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
norharman 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Silene undulata has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Psychoactive.

Total activities
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Psychoactive 1 ★☆☆☆☆