African Purslane
Zaleya pentandra · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (4 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
African Purslane, scientifically known as Zaleya pentandra, is a versatile medicinal herb native to tropical regions. Renowned for its potent bioactive compounds, this plant is traditionally utilized in various folk remedies to treat skin ailments, inflammation, and digestive issues. It remains a significant subject of interest in ethnobotanical research.
- Family
- Aizoaceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Not available
- Common names
- African Purslane
- Scientific synonyms
- Rocama Digyna · Rocama Prostrata · 5 more
Names
Common Names
- African Purslane
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Zaleya pentandraSynonyms
- Rocama digyna
- Rocama prostrata
- Limeum kenyense
- Zaleya sennii
- Rocama arabica
- Trianthema sennii
- Trianthema pentandrum
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Zaleya pentandra, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta. It falls under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, specifically within the order Caryophyllales. Ultimately, it is a member of the family Aizoaceae and the genus Zaleya.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Aizoaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Zaleya | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions of the African continent. Within Northern Africa, its presence is documented in the countries of Algeria, Egypt, and Libya. The species also extends its range into the Macaronesian islands, specifically found in Cape Verde. Furthermore, it can be located within West Tropical Africa, specifically in Burkina Faso. This varied distribution highlights the plant's ability to inhabit diverse ecological zones across the continent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mauritania | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Niger | WCVP |
Chemicals
Zaleya pentandra has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoid, Terpenoid.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Flavonoid | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Terpenoid | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Flavonoid
- Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
Terpenoid
- Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
Activities
Zaleya pentandra has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| methanol extract | Acta poloniae pharmaceutica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |