Common Purple Mallow

Urena lobata · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (4 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Common Purple Mallow, scientifically known as Urena lobata, is a perennial shrub native to tropical regions. Renowned for its vibrant purple flowers and serrated leaves, this medicinal plant is deeply embedded in traditional healing. It is widely utilized for its potent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties in various cultures.

Family
Malvaceae
Native range
Africa
Parts used
Not available
Common names
Caesarweed · Congo-Jute · 5 more
Scientific synonyms
Not available

Names

Common Names

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • cadillo
  • malva blanca
  • Cadillo de perro

German:

  • Kongojute
  • Urenafaser
  • Kongojute

French:

  • cousin urène
  • Hérisson rouge

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Urena lobata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Urena.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Malvales WCVP
Family Malvaceae WCVP
Genus Urena WCVP

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution that spans across several regions in Africa and the Atlantic islands. Within the Macaronesia archipelago, its presence is documented in Cape Verde. Moving to the mainland, it is widely distributed across various countries in West Tropical Africa. Specifically, its range includes the nations of Benin, Burkina, and Gambia. Furthermore, the species can also be found growing within the borders 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-Bissau WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ivory Coast WCVP
West Tropical Africa Liberia WCVP
West Tropical Africa Mali WCVP

Chemicals

Urena lobata has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-Trachelogenin, Clematoside S.

Chemicals reported in Urena lobata
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
(-)-Trachelogenin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Clematoside S 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

(-)-Trachelogenin

  1. International journal of molecular sciences

Clematoside S

  1. International journal of molecular sciences

Medicinal Uses

Urena lobata has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include bone diseases, yeast.

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Consensus
bone diseases Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
yeast International journal of molecular sciences (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Preparations

Preparations Sources Consensus
80% ethanol extract International journal of molecular sciences (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆