Telfairia occidentalis
Telfairiia occidentalis, commonly known as African spinach or ewedu, is a highly nutritious leafy vegetable native to West Africa. Renowned for its mucilaginous texture, it is a dietary staple used in traditional soups. Beyond culinary uses, it offers significant medicinal benefits, including antioxidant properties and support for digestive health.
- Scientific name: Telfairia occidentalis
- Family: Cucurbitaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Telfairia occidentalis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, falling under the order Cucurbitales. Finally, it is a member of the family Cucurbitaceae and is categorized under the genus Telfairia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Cucurbitales | WCVP |
| Family | Cucurbitaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Telfairia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Telfairiia occidentalis, is recognized by various common names depending on the language and region. In Arabic, it is referred to as تلفيرية غربية, while in Chinese, it is commonly called 凹槽南瓜. Additionally, in Egyptian Arabic, it is known as تلفيريه غربيه.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ar | تلفيرية غربية | Wikidata |
| zh | 凹槽南瓜 | Wikidata |
| arz | تلفيريه غربيه | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known scientifically as Telfairiia occidentalis, is primarily distributed throughout the West Tropical Africa region. Within this specific geographical zone, it can be found growing across several different nations. It is notably present in the coastal and inland areas of Benin and Guinea. Furthermore, the species maintains a significant presence in the Ivory Coast and Liberia. Its distribution also extends extensively through the diverse landscapes of Nigeria.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cabinda | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Congo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the African locust bean, is a versatile medicinal and nutritional resource where various parts serve distinct purposes. The nutrient-dense leaf is frequently consumed for its high protein content and used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, while the stem provides the structural framework for the tree and can be utilized in specific herbal preparations. The fruit, which grows in pods, houses the highly valued seeds that are fermented to create traditional seasonings and are prized for their medicinal properties in boosting vitality. Additionally, the root of the tree is often employed in traditional healing practices to address various health concerns, ensuring that almost every part of Telfairiia occidentalis contributes to its significant ethnobotanical importance.- Total parts
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 13
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pod | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf extracts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaf Extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Telfairia occidentalis has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Methyl 9-cis 11- trans-octadecadienoate, Quercitrin, arginine, aspartate, cysteine.
- Total chemicals
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Methyl 9-cis 11- trans-octadecadienoate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Quercitrin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arginine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aspartate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cysteine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| luteolin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Telfairia occidentalis has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hypercholesterolemic.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Hypercholesterolemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Telfairia occidentalis has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include edema, sickle cell disorder, typhoid fever.
- Total uses
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| edema | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sickle cell disorder | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| typhoid fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |