Terminalia spinosa
Terminalia spinosa, commonly known as the thorny terminalia, is a resilient medicinal shrub native to various tropical regions. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, this plant is utilized in traditional medicine to treat skin ailments, digestive issues, and inflammatory conditions, offering a natural resource for holistic healing and wellness.
- Scientific name: Terminalia spinosa
- Family: Combretaceae
- 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 and the order Myrtales, falling into the family Combretaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Terminalia, with the specific species name being spinosa.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Myrtales | WCVP |
| Family | Combretaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Terminalia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Terminalia spinosa, is referred to by various common names depending on the region and language. In Arabic, it is commonly called هليلج شوكي, while in Finnish, it is known as oraketapani.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ar | هليلج شوكي | Wikidata |
| fi | oraketapani | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across the northeastern and eastern regions of the tropical African continent. In Northeast Tropical Africa, its presence is recorded in Ethiopia, Somalia, and the territories of Sudan and South Sudan. Moving toward the eastern coast, the species also thrives within the borders of Kenya. Furthermore, its geographical range extends into the landscape of Tanzania. Collectively, these locations highlight a specific ecological niche within the African tropical belt.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Somalia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known as Terminalia spinosa, utilizes various components for its medicinal properties, particularly the young branches and the stem bark. The young branches are often sought after for their specific chemical constituents, while the stem bark is frequently employed in traditional remedies due to its concentrated bioactive compounds. Together, these parts serve as essential sources for extracting the natural elements required for various therapeutic applications.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| young branches | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Terminalia spinosa has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include anthocyanins, anthraquinone, coumarins, ellagic acid, fatty acids.
- Total chemicals
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| anthocyanins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthraquinone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coumarins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ellagic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fatty acids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Terminalia spinosa has 6 reported activities identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antiplasmodial, Antiproliferative.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiplasmodial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Terminalia spinosa has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Helicobacter pylori, fever, jaundice, malaria, sore throat.
- Total uses
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Helicobacter pylori | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| jaundice | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sore throat | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wounds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |