Stylosanthes fruticosa

Stylosanthes fruticosa, commonly known as the "Bushy Desmodium," is a resilient perennial shrub native to tropical regions. Valued in traditional medicine, this plant possesses significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is frequently utilized in herbal remedies to treat skin ailments, promote wound healing, and support overall digestive health.

  • Scientific name: Stylosanthes fruticosa
  • Family: Fabaceae
  • 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 Fabales, it is a member of the Fabaceae family. It is specifically classified under the genus Stylosanthes.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Fabales WCVP
Family Fabaceae WCVP
Genus Stylosanthes WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Stylosanthes fruticosa, is referred to by various local names depending on the linguistic context. In the dag language, it is commonly called Mamoŋmakpam, while in bm, it is known as Sekufali.
Language Common Name Source
dag Mamoŋmakpam Wikidata
bm Sekufali Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning across several distinct regions. In the Macaronesian islands, it can be found specifically within the Cape Verde archipelago. Its presence extends significantly into West Tropical Africa, where it inhabits various territories. Specifically, it is documented growing in the nations of Benin and Burkina. Furthermore, the species is also distributed throughout the West African countries of Gambia and Ghana.

Region Area Source
Macaronesia Cape Verde WCVP
West Tropical Africa Benin WCVP
West Tropical Africa Burkina WCVP
West Tropical Africa Gambia WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ghana WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea-Bissau WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ivory Coast WCVP
West Tropical Africa Mali WCVP
West Tropical Africa Mauritania WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known scientifically as Stylosanthes fruticosa, is a medicinal shrub where the whole plant is frequently utilized in traditional healing practices. Because many of its therapeutic properties are distributed throughout its entire structure, practitioners often prepare decoctions or infusions using the leaves, stems, and flowers combined. By employing the whole plant, practitioners aim to harness the full spectrum of its bioactive compounds to treat various ailments.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
whole plant 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Stylosanthes fruticosa has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic.

Total activities
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Stylosanthes fruticosa has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include analgesic, anthelmintic, kidney diseases, toothache.

Total uses
4
Scientific sources
4

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
anthelmintic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
kidney diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
toothache 1 ★☆☆☆☆