Spathodea campanulata
African tulip tree
Spathodea campanulata, commonly known as the African Tulip Tree, is a striking tropical evergreen prized for its vibrant, bell-shaped orange flowers. Beyond its ornamental beauty, this species holds significant ethnobotanical value, with various cultures utilizing its bark and leaves in traditional remedies to treat ailments like skin inflammation.
- Scientific name: Spathodea campanulata
- Family: Bignoniaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales, it is classified under the family Bignoniaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Spathodea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Bignoniaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Spathodea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known by various names across different languages and regions, is referred to as Spathodea in French (fr) and Portuguese (pt). In Chinese (zh), it is commonly called 火焰樹, while in Malayalam (ml), it is known as സ്കൂട്ട്മരം. Additionally, in German (de), it is frequently identified as Afrikanischer Tulpenbaum.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| fr | Spathodea | Wikidata |
| zh | 火焰樹 | Wikidata |
| pt | Spathodea | Wikidata |
| ml | സ്കൂട്ട്മരം | Wikidata |
| de | Afrikanischer Tulpenbaum | Wikidata |
| sv | Afrikanskt tulpanträd | Wikidata |
| hu | afrikai tulipánfa | Wikidata |
| to | Tiulipe | Wikidata |
| th | แคแสด | Wikidata |
| ja | カエンボク | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical range that spans across several distinct regions. Within the Macaronesian islands, its presence is noted in Madeira. Its distribution extends significantly into West Tropical Africa, where it can be found in Benin. Furthermore, the species inhabits several coastal nations, including Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, its documented range includes the country of Guinea, completing its West African presence.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Macaronesia | Madeira | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | 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 | Senegal | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the Campanulate Bell Flower, utilizes various components for its medicinal properties. The stem bark is often harvested and used in traditional practices due to its specific bioactive compounds. Additionally, the leaves serve as another important part of the plant, frequently employed in decoctions or topical applications to harness their therapeutic potential.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stem bark | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Spathodea campanulata has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, triterpenoids, glycosides, iridoids, kaempferol.
- Total chemicals
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpenoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glycosides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| iridoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| maltol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| n-hexadecanoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phytol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sterols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Spathodea campanulata has 6 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anticomplement, Antineoplastic, Antiviral.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticomplement | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antineoplastic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypoglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Spathodea campanulata has 15 reported medicinal uses identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, HHV-1, Helicobacter pylori.
- Total uses
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 15
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Enterococcus faecalis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HHV-1 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Helicobacter pylori | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Salmonella typhimurium | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antineoplastic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |