Urceola laevigata
Urceola laevigatata, commonly known as the "vaca de monte" or "palo de vaca," is a medicinal shrub native to tropical regions. Traditionally utilized in folk medicine, this plant is valued for its diverse bioactive compounds, often employed to treat inflammation, skin conditions, and various gastrointestinal ailments throughout indigenous communities.
- Scientific name: Urceola laevigata
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Gentianales and the family Apocynaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Urceoala.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Apocynaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Urceola | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Urceola laevigata, is known by various names depending on the region and language. In English, it is commonly referred to as the smooth-seeded urceola, while in Spanish, it is known as urceola laevigata or urceola lisa. In Portuguese, it is called urceola laevigata or urceola lisa, and in French, it is referred to as urceola laevigata.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be found spanning both the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within the borders of Bangladesh. Additionally, the species is located throughout the Indo-China region, including the Andaman Islands. Finally, its habitat reaches into the country of Cambodia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Andaman Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Nicobar Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |