Solanecio biafrae
Solanecio biafrae, commonly known as a vital medicinal herb in West African traditional medicine, holds significant ethnobotanical importance. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, this plant is frequently utilized to treat various ailments, including inflammatory conditions and infections, offering a natural resource of interest for modern pharmacological research.
- Scientific name: Solanecio biafrae
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Africa
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 Asterales and is a member of the Asteraceae family. It is specifically identified by the genus Solanecio.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Solanecio | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Solanum biafrae, is known by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In English, it is frequently referred to as the Biafra nightshade, while in Igbo, it is commonly called n̄mā m̄mā.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant, Solanum biafrae, exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence has been documented across several key nations, including Ghana and Guinea. Additionally, it can be found growing within the borders of the Ivory Coast and Liberia. The species also extends its reach into Nigeria, marking a significant part of its natural habitat. Collectively, these locations define the primary ecological range for this medicinal species.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Congo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Solanum biafrae, utilizes various structures that contribute to its medicinal and nutritional profile. The sturdy stems provide the essential structural support for the plant's growth, connecting the roots to the foliage. The leaves are a primary component of the plant, serving as the main site for photosynthesis and housing various bioactive compounds. Furthermore, these leaves are often harvested and consumed as leafy vegetables, offering both nutritional value and traditional therapeutic benefits in local diets.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leafy Vegetables | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Solanecio biafrae has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Estrogenic.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Estrogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |