Spondias purpurea
Spondias purpurea, commonly known as the purple mombin or ambarella, is a tropical fruit-bearing tree celebrated for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, its fruit, leaves, and bark are traditionally used to treat digestive issues, inflammation, and skin conditions, offering significant therapeutic potential.
- Scientific name: Spondias purpurea
- Family: Anacardiaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Spondias purpurea, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Sapindales and the family Anacardiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Spondias.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Anacardiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Spondias | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Spondias purpurea, is known by various regional names depending on the language and location. In Haiti, it is commonly referred to as Siwèl, while in Portuguese-speaking regions, it is called Seriguela. In Pampean contexts, the name used is Sariguelas, and in Poland, it is identified as Śliwiec purpurowy. Additionally, in Nahuatl, the plant is known as Ātōyāxocotl.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ht | Siwèl | Wikidata |
| pt | Seriguela | Wikidata |
| pam | Sariguelas | Wikidata |
| pl | Śliwiec purpurowy | Wikidata |
| nah | Ātōyāxocotl | Wikidata |
| ru | Момбин пурпуровый | Wikidata |
| de | Rote Mombinpflaume | Wikidata |
| ml | ജൊക്കോട്ട് | Wikidata |
| tl | Sinigwelas | Wikidata |
| nl | rode mombinpruim | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across multiple continents and regions. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in Bangladesh. Additionally, the species is distributed within the Malesia region, specifically located in Jawa. These varied locations highlight the wide ecological range inhabited by Spondias purpurea.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Malesia | Jawa | WCVP |
| Malesia | Philippines | WCVP |
| Southeastern U.S.A. | Florida | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Central | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northeast | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Spondias purpurea, utilizes various components for its medicinal properties, with the leaf being a particularly significant part. The leaf is often harvested for its bioactive compounds, which are frequently used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments such as inflammation or digestive issues. When processed, these leaves can be prepared as infusions or decoctions, reflecting the versatile therapeutic potential held within the plant's foliage.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Spondias purpurea has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include farnesyl acetate, geranylgeraniol, phytol.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| farnesyl acetate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| geranylgeraniol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phytol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Spondias purpurea has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include DNA damage, Parkinson's disease, cancer, enterobacterial infections, gastrointestinal disorders.
- Total uses
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| DNA damage | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Parkinson's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| enterobacterial infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal disorders | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| non-Hodgkin's lymphoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |