Strychnos myrtoides

Strychnos myrtoides, commonly known as the "moya" or "moya-moya" in certain regions, is a climbing woody vine native to tropical forests. Renowned in traditional medicine, its various parts are utilized for their bioactive alkaloids, offering potential therapeutic properties in treating diverse ailments through specialized phytochemical applications and ethnobotanical practices.

  • Scientific name: Strychnos myrtoides
  • Family: Loganiaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Gentianales. Finally, it is a member of the family Loganiaceae and is specifically identified by the genus Strychnos.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Gentianales WCVP
Family Loganiaceae WCVP
Genus Strychnos WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Strychnos myrtoides, is known by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In English, it is frequently referred to as the berry vine, while in Spanish, it is commonly called uva de monte. In Portuguese, the species is known as uva-de-monte, and in French, it is identified as vigne à baies.
Language Common Name Source

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution across several distinct regions of the African continent and its surrounding islands. In East Tropical Africa, its presence can be documented within the borders of Tanzania. Moving toward the southern portion of the continent, it is also found throughout Mozambique in South Tropical Africa. Additionally, the species extends its range into the Western Indian Ocean. Specifically, this unique geographical pattern includes the large island nation of Madagascar.

Region Area Source
East Tropical Africa Tanzania WCVP
South Tropical Africa Mozambique WCVP
Western Indian Ocean Madagascar WCVP

Chemicals

Strychnos myrtoides has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include malagashanine, strychnobrasiline.

Total chemicals
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
malagashanine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
strychnobrasiline 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Strychnos myrtoides has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium yoelii.

Total uses
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Plasmodium falciparum 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Plasmodium yoelii 1 ★☆☆☆☆