Tiliacora funifera
Elbow leaf
Tiliacora funifera, commonly known as "pataua" in Brazil, is a versatile medicinal climbing vine native to the Amazon rainforest. Renowned for its potent bioactive compounds, it is traditionally used to treat inflammation, digestive issues, and diabetes, offering significant therapeutic potential in modern ethnopharmacological research and natural medicine.
- Scientific name: Tiliacora funifera
- Family: Menispermaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Ranunculales and the family Menispermaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is established under the genus Tiliacora.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ranunculales | WCVP |
| Family | Menispermaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Tiliacora | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Tiliacora funifera, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In English, it is known as Elbow Leaf, while in Hindi, it is called Kulunga, and in Afrikaans, it is referred to as Stamvrug-klimop.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ha | Kulunga | Wikidata |
| af | Stamvrug-klimop | Wikidata |
| en | Elbow Leaf | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across several regions within West Tropical Africa. It can be found growing natively in the country of Benin. Additionally, its presence extends to the territories of Ghana and Guinea. The species also inhabits parts of the Ivory Coast. Finally, its geographical range includes the nation of Nigeria.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cabinda | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Congo | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Tiliacora funifera, is a climbing vine known for the therapeutic properties found within its various anatomical structures. The medicinal value of the species is primarily derived from its leaves and roots, which are widely utilized in traditional medicine systems. The leaves are often employed for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, while the roots are frequently used in decoctions to treat various ailments, including digestive issues and fever.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Tiliacora funifera has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include funiferine N-oxide, isotetrandrine, thalrugosine, tiliafunimine.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| funiferine N-oxide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isotetrandrine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| thalrugosine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tiliafunimine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |