Spirostachys africana
Spirostachys africana, commonly known as a significant medicinal shrub in various African regions, holds profound ethnobotanical importance. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, this plant is traditionally utilized to treat ailments ranging from skin infections to digestive issues, offering a vital natural resource for holistic community healthcare and wellness.
- Scientific name: Spirostachys africana
- Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae within the order Malpighiales. Furthermore, it is a member of the family Euphorbiaceae and is specifically categorized under the genus Spirostachys.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Euphorbiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Spirostachys | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Spirostachys africana, is known by various names depending on the language and region. In Afrikaans, it is commonly referred to as Tambotie, while in Finnish, it is called kapintambotipuu. In Chinese, the species is identified as 非洲桦桕 (zh), 非洲桦桕 (zh-cn), or 非洲樺桕 (zh-tw).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| af | Tambotie | Wikidata |
| fi | kapintambotipuu | Wikidata |
| zh | 非洲桦桕 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 非洲桦桕 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 非洲樺桕 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 非洲桦桕 | Wikidata |
| sn | Munhiti | Wikidata |
| ki | Mũhathĩ (Spirostachys africana) | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In East Tropical Africa, its presence is documented within the borders of Kenya and Tanzania. The species also extends into South Tropical Africa, where it can be found in Angola. Additionally, its range covers the territories of Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Overall, these locations highlight a significant geographical spread across both eastern and southern tropical zones.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Angola | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Botswana | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Cape Provinces | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Namibia | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Eswatini | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Spirostachys africana, is a medicinal species where various components are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The leaves are often harvested and used in traditional preparations to treat various ailments, including stomach issues. Additionally, the bark holds significant importance in herbal medicine, frequently being decocted or prepared into infusions to address conditions such as fever, inflammation, or digestive discomfort.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Spirostachys africana has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, gallotannins.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gallotannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Spirostachys africana has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Antioxidant, Genotoxic.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimalarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Genotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Spirostachys africana has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, Plasmodium falciparum, cough, fever, rhinitis.
- Total uses
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Plasmodium falciparum | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cough | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhinitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |