Thespesia populnea
Thespesia populnea, commonly known as the Portia tree or Pacific rosewood, is a versatile evergreen shrub native to tropical coasts. Renowned for its beautiful golden flowers and medicinal properties, it is utilized in traditional medicine to treat skin ailments, inflammation, and digestive issues, offering significant therapeutic potential.
- Scientific name: Thespesia populnea
- Family: Malvaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Thespesia populnea, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Thespesia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malvales | WCVP |
| Family | Malvaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Thespesia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct tropical and subtropical regions. In the Atlantic, it can be found within the Macaronesia region, specifically on the islands of Cape Verde. Its presence extends significantly into West Tropical Africa, where it inhabits various landscapes. Within this African zone, the species is documented in countries such as Benin, Burkina, and Gambia. Furthermore, its range continues through the coastal and inland areas of 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 | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
Chemicals
Thespesia populnea has 46 reported phytochemicals identified across 50 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, gossypol, quercetin, rutin, (+)-gossypol.
- Total chemicals
- 46
- Scientific sources
- 50
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gossypol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rutin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-gossypol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 7-hydroxycadalene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mansonone E | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Terpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| apigenin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-sitosterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Thespesia populnea has 13 reported activities identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Hepatoprotective, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Analgesic.
- Total activities
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticholinesterase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifertility | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antinociceptive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipyretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Thespesia populnea has 22 reported medicinal uses identified across 23 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, Alzheimer's disease, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, amyloid plaques.
- Total uses
- 22
- Scientific sources
- 23
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| amyloid plaques | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bacterial infection | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cholesterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dementia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |