Terminalia tetraphylla
Terminalia tetraphylla, commonly known as the Four-leaf Terminalia, is a distinctive medicinal tree valued in traditional herbal medicine. Renowned for its unique leaf structure, this species offers diverse therapeutic properties. It is frequently utilized in various cultures to treat ailments ranging from skin conditions to digestive and inflammatory issues.
- Scientific name: Terminalia tetraphylla
- Family: Combretaceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Myrtales and the family Combretaceae. It is specifically identified as a member of the genus Terminalia.
| 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 tetraphyllla, is referred to by different names depending on the linguistic context. In Arabic, it is commonly called بوشنوية رباعية الأوراق, while in Swedish, its name is recorded as Buchenavia tetraphylla.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ar | بوشنوية رباعية الأوراق | Wikidata |
| sv | Buchenavia tetraphylla | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific range of occurrence across the tropical regions of Central America and the Caribbean. Within the Central American corridor, its presence is documented in both Costa Rica and Panamá. Moving toward the Caribbean islands, the species can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Cuba. Additionally, its distribution extends to the island of Hispaniola, covering both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Together, these locations define the primary geographical footprint of Terminalia tetraphylla.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | Panamá | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Cuba | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Dominican Republic | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Haiti | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Leeward Is. | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Puerto Rico | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Trinidad-Tobago | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Windward Is. | WCVP |
| Northern South America | French Guiana | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Terminalia tetraphyllla, is recognized for the therapeutic potential found within its various botanical structures, particularly its foliage. The medicinal properties are often concentrated in the leaves, which are frequently utilized in traditional herbal remedies. Whether a practitioner is studying a single leaf or examining the entire cluster of leaves, it is evident that the leaf serves as a primary source of bioactive compounds. Therefore, the leaves of this species are central to its pharmacological importance.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Terminalia tetraphylla has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |