Beaked-Plum
Zanha africana · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (8 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Baobab-Plum, scientifically known as Zanhobia africana, is a versatile medicinal plant native to African landscapes. Renowned for its nutrient-dense fruit and potent bark, it is traditionally utilized to treat inflammation, digestive ailments, and skin conditions. This resilient species remains a vital resource for holistic healing and community wellness.
- Family
- Sapindaceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Root · Stem
- Common names
- Beaked-Plum · Muchenya · 1 more
- Scientific synonyms
- Dialiopsis Africana
Names
Common Names
- Beaked-Plum
- Muchenya
- Velvet-Fruited Zanha
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Zanha africanaSynonyms
- Dialiopsis africana
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Zanha africana, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is further classified under the order Sapindales and the family Sapindaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Zanha.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Sapindaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Zanha | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse presence across several regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, its distribution includes the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Moving toward East Tropical Africa, it can be found in both Kenya and Tanzania. The species also extends into South Tropical Africa, specifically within the borders of Angola. Finally, its range reaches further into the south through the country of Malawi.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Angola | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Malawi | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zambia | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Botswana | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Namibia | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Zanha africana, possesses significant therapeutic value derived from specific anatomical components, most notably the stem bark and the root bark. The stem bark is often harvested for its concentrated phytochemicals, which are utilized in various traditional medicinal preparations to address different ailments. Similarly, the root bark serves as a vital source of bioactive compounds, providing a potent secondary reservoir of medicinal properties that are essential to the plant's overall healing potential.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| root | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | Mycoses (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Zanha africana has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Pinitol, Quebrachitol, zanhasaponin A, zanhasaponin B, zanhasaponin C.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Pinitol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Quebrachitol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| zanhasaponin A | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| zanhasaponin B | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| zanhasaponin C | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Pinitol
- Journal of natural products
Quebrachitol
- Journal of natural products
zanhasaponin A
- Journal of natural products
zanhasaponin B
- Journal of natural products
zanhasaponin C
- Journal of natural products
Medicinal Uses
Zanha africana has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include trypanosomiasis.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| trypanosomiasis | Phytotherapy research : PTR (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| MeOH extract of the root bark | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acetone extracts | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methanol extracts | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem bark | Mycoses (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| water extracts | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |