Turraea nilotica
Lowveld honeysuckle tree
Turraea nilotica, commonly known as the African Rosewood or Umutuba, is a versatile medicinal tree native to Africa. Renowned for its potent therapeutic properties, its bark and resin are traditionally used to treat skin ailments, digestive issues, and inflammation, serving as a vital resource in various ethnobotanical practices.
- Scientific name: Turraea nilotica
- Family: Meliaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Meliaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is established within the genus Turraea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Meliaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Turraea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Turraeea nilotica, is referred to by various names depending on the language and region. In English, it is commonly called the Lowveld Honeysuckle Tree, while in Afrikaans, it is known as the Laeveldkanferfoelieboom.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| af | Laeveldkanferfoelieboom | Wikidata |
| en | Lowveld Honeysuckle Tree | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical range across several regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, its presence is noted within the borders of Burundi. Its distribution extends into Northeast Tropical Africa, where it can be found in Ethiopia, Somalia, and the territories of Sudan and South Sudan. Additionally, the species is documented in East Tropical Africa, specifically within Kenya. These diverse locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive across various tropical African landscapes.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| 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 |
| South Tropical Africa | Malawi | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zambia | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
Chemicals
Turraea nilotica has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 11-epi-toonacilin, azadironolide, triterpenoids.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 11-epi-toonacilin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| azadironolide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Turraea nilotica has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiplasmodial, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antiplasmodial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Turraea nilotica has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |