Tetracera madagascariensis

Tetracera madagascariensis, commonly known as the Madagascar climber, is a versatile medicinal plant valued in traditional herbalism. Native to tropical regions, its leaves and stems are frequently utilized to treat various ailments, including skin infections and inflammatory conditions, offering significant pharmacological potential for modern therapeutic research and development.

  • Scientific name: Tetracera madagascariensis
  • Family: Dilleniaceae
  • Native range: Africa

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 Dilleniales and the family Dilleniaceae. It is further identified by the genus Tetracera.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Dilleniales WCVP
Family Dilleniaceae WCVP
Genus Tetracera WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Tetraceras madagascariensis, is recognized by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In English, it is often referred to as the Madagascar tree, while in French, it is known as l'arbre de Madagascar. Within local contexts, such as in Malagasy, it is called mavo, and it is also identified as mavo kely in certain dialects.
Language Common Name Source

Distribution

This plant is uniquely localized to a specific region of the world. Its primary geographical presence is found within the Western Indian Ocean. Specifically, the species is endemic to the island nation of Madagascar. Because of this restricted range, it does not occur naturally in other parts of the globe. Consequently, the plant's survival is closely tied to the unique ecosystems of its native habitat.

Region Area Source
Western Indian Ocean Madagascar WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Tetracera madagascariensis, is primarily utilized in traditional medicine through its aerial parts. These above-ground structures, which encompass the leaves, stems, and flowers, contain the bioactive compounds necessary for its therapeutic applications. In various herbal practices, these aerial parts are often harvested, dried, and prepared as infusions or decoctions to treat various ailments, making them the most significant portion of the plant for medicinal extraction.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
Aerial Parts 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Tetracera madagascariensis has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include quercetin, quinic acid.

Total chemicals
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
quercetin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
quinic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Tetracera madagascariensis 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

Tetracera madagascariensis has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include asthma.

Total uses
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
asthma 1 ★☆☆☆☆