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Monkey Oranges

Strychnos · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (12 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Monkey Oranges, scientifically known as Strychnos, is a genus of flowering plants native to tropical Africa. Renowned for their nutritious, fleshy fruits, these trees play vital roles in local ecosystems. Beyond nutrition, various Strychnos species hold significant ethnobotanical importance, utilized in traditional medicine for their diverse bioactive properties.

Family
Loganiaceae
Native range
Africa
Parts used
Not available
Common names
Monkey Oranges · Monkey-Oranges · 1 more
Scientific synonyms
Ignatiana · Curare · 9 more

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Strychnos

Synonyms

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • Scyphostrychnos
  • Atherstonea
  • Ignatia
  • Naranjas de monos

German:

  • Brechnüsse
  • Brechnüsse

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented across several distinct nations, including Benin and Burkina. Furthermore, the species can be found extending through the territory of Gambia. The range also encompasses significant areas within Ghana. Finally, the distribution continues into the coastal reaches of Guinea-Bissau.

Region Area
West Tropical Africa Benin
West Tropical Africa Burkina
West Tropical Africa Gambia
West Tropical Africa Ghana
West Tropical Africa Guinea-Bissau
West Tropical Africa Guinea
West Tropical Africa Ivory Coast
West Tropical Africa Liberia
West Tropical Africa Mali
West Tropical Africa Nigeria

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Chemicals

Strychnos has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BRUCINE, strychnine, Usambarensine.

Chemicals reported in Strychnos
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
BRUCINE 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
strychnine 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Usambarensine 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

BRUCINE

  1. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences
  2. Nutrients

strychnine

  1. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences
  2. Nutrients

Usambarensine

  1. Frontiers in molecular biosciences

Activities

Strychnos has 5 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antiplasmodial, Convulsant, Cytotoxic, Hypotensive.

Activities reported in Strychnos
Activity Supporting sources Consensus
Antimicrobial 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antiplasmodial 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Convulsant 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Hypotensive 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Antimicrobial

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiplasmodial

  1. Frontiers in molecular biosciences

Convulsant

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cytotoxic

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hypotensive

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Strychnos has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include malaria.

Conditions investigated for Strychnos
Condition Supporting sources Consensus
Malaria 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Malaria

  1. Frontiers in molecular biosciences
  2. Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology

Preparations

Strychnos has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude methanolic extracts.

Preparations reported for Strychnos
Preparation Supporting sources Consensus
Crude methanolic extracts 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Crude methanolic extracts

  1. Frontiers in molecular biosciences