Madeira blueberry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Madeiran blueberry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ericales, it is further categorized into the family Ericaceae. Finally, it is placed within the genus Vaccinium under the specific species name Vaccinium padifolium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is a specialized species found within a very restricted range. Its natural distribution is confined exclusively to the Macaronesian region. Specifically, it is endemic to the island of Madeira. Due to this localized presence, it plays a unique role in the island's specific ecosystem. Understanding its limited habitat is essential for the ongoing conservation of this rare flora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Vaccinium padifolium is characterized by its distinct growth habit and structural composition, most notably being a woody plant. As a woody species, it develops permanent, lignified stems that provide a robust framework for its vegetative structure. The plant typically exhibits a shrubby or subshrubby form, where the stems transition from flexible young shoots to more rigid, bark-covered branches over time. This woody nature supports the arrangement of its foliage and reproductive organs, contributing to its overall perennial architecture and ability to withstand various environmental conditions through its thickened, structural tissues.

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Vaccinium padifolium has 2 reported plant parts identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences
2. Complementary therapies in medicine
3. Food science & nutrition
4. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Leaf

1. Food science & nutrition
2. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine
3. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR

Chemicals

Vaccinium padifolium has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthocyanins, ANTHOCYANIN, Hydroxyl, Polysaccharide, SILVER NITRATE.

Anthocyanins

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

ANTHOCYANIN

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Hydroxyl

1. BioMed research international

Polysaccharide

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

SILVER NITRATE

1. BioMed research international

quercetin

1. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR

Activities

Vaccinium padifolium has 7 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antihypertensive, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antihyperlipidemic.

Antidiabetic

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences
2. Die Pharmazie
3. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR
4. Iranian biomedical journal

Antihypertensive

1. Complementary therapies in medicine
2. Die Pharmazie
3. Food science & nutrition
4. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine

Antioxidant

1. International journal of biological macromolecules
2. Food science & nutrition

Antibacterial

1. Food science & nutrition

Antihyperlipidemic

1. Food science & nutrition

Antimicrobial

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Antiplatelet

1. Food science & nutrition

Preparations

Vaccinium padifolium has 7 reported preparations identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Fruit extract, aqueous extract, berry hydro-alcoholic extract, extract capsule, fruit hydroalcoholic extract.

Fruit extract

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Aqueous extract

1. BioMed research international

Berry hydro-alcoholic extract

1. Complementary therapies in medicine

Extract capsule

1. Complementary therapies in medicine

Fruit hydroalcoholic extract

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Herbal combination

1. Journal of dietary supplements

Polyherbal mixture

1. Journal of lipids