Xylopia africana
Xylopia africana · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (4 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
, scientifically known as Xylopia africana, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to tropical Africa. Renowned for its aromatic properties, the plant is widely utilized in traditional medicine to treat ailments ranging from digestive issues to inflammation. Its bioactive compounds offer significant therapeutic potential for modern pharmacological research and development.
- Family
- Not available
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Leaf · Root
- Common names
- Not available
- Scientific synonyms
- Not available
Names and Synonyms
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Xylopia africanaDistribution
This plant is primarily found across various regions of the African continent. Within West Tropical Africa, it is documented to grow in Nigeria. Its presence extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically within the borders of Cameroon. Additionally, the species can be located throughout the Gulf of Guinea Islands. This distribution highlights its importance across diverse tropical environments in the region.
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Botanical Identification
Morphology
The morphology of Xylopia africana is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree. It exhibits a self-supporting structure, lacking the climbing tendencies associated with lianas or vines. The plant reaches a significant stature, with height measurements ranging from a minimum of approximately 9.14 m to a maximum of approximately 12.19 m.
- Climber :
- self-supporting
- Growth form :
- tree
- Plant height max:
- 12.19214826 m
- Plant height min:
- 9.144111192 m
- Woodiness :
- woody
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Plant Parts
Xylopia africana has 3 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, stem.
| Plant part | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Root | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Stem | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Leaf
- Natural product research
Root
- Natural product research
Stem
- Natural product research
Preparations
Xylopia africana has 4 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include bark, ethanolic extracts, ethanolic extracts of leaves, ethanolic extracts of stems.
| Preparation | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Bark | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ethanolic extracts | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ethanolic extracts of leaves | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ethanolic extracts of stems | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Bark
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Ethanolic extracts
- Natural product research
Ethanolic extracts of leaves
- Natural product research
Ethanolic extracts of stems
- Natural product research