Snowflake wattle
Zapoteca portoricensis · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (26 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Snowflake wattle, scientifically known as Zapoteca portoricensis, is a rare medicinal plant cherished in traditional herbalism. Renowned for its unique phytochemical properties, this botanical specimen offers potential therapeutic benefits. Understanding its ecological niche and bioactive compounds is essential for exploring its role in developing future natural medicinal treatments.
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Roots · Methanol Root Extract
- Common names
- Snowflake Wattle · White Stickpea
- Scientific synonyms
- Calliandra Portoricensis · Feuilleea Portoricensis · 3 more
Names
Common Names
- Snowflake wattle
- white stickpea
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- efesillo
- guaje blanco
- pelo de ángel
- barba de chivo
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Zapoteca portoricensisSynonyms
- Calliandra portoricensis
- Feuilleea portoricensis
- Acacia portoricensis
- Anneslia portoricensis
- Mimosa portoricensis
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Zapoteca portoricensis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified under the genus Zapoteca.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Zapoteca | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant, Zapoteca portoricensis, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the tropical regions of Africa. It is found within West Tropical Africa, spanning several countries including Benin and Ghana. The species also maintains a presence in Togo and Nigeria as part of its western range. Moving eastward, its distribution extends into West-Central Tropical Africa. Specifically, this medicinal plant can be located within the borders of Cameroon.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Malesia | Jawa | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Zapoteca portoricensis, utilizes various anatomical components for its medicinal properties, primarily focusing on the underground structures. The roots serve as a vital reservoir for bioactive compounds, which are often harvested to study the plant's therapeutic potential. Specifically, the root bark contains concentrated secondary metabolites that are essential for its healing efficacy. When researchers seek to isolate these active principles, they often utilize root extracts to facilitate chemical analysis and pharmacological testing. Ultimately, whether one examines the entire root system or specific sections like the stem, understanding the distribution of these constituents is key to harnessing the plant's full medicinal value.| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methanol root extract | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root bark | African journal of medicine and medical sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root extracts | Frontiers in chemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Zapoteca portoricensis has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include AFZELECHIN, Gallic acid, Lupeol, Spinasterone, Triterpenes.
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| AFZELECHIN | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gallic acid | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Lupeol | Experimental parasitology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Spinasterone | Experimental parasitology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Triterpenes | International journal of molecular sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anabellamide | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| nigrosporolide | BMC complementary and alternative medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| trans-geranic acid | BMC complementary and alternative medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Zapoteca portoricensis has 8 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Abortifacient, Anthelmintic, Anticancer, Antidiabetic.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Abortifacient | Frontiers in chemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | Frontiers in chemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | International journal of molecular sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | International journal of molecular sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | International journal of molecular sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | Frontiers in chemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Zapoteca portoricensis has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include tonsillitis.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| tonsillitis | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| An alkaloidal extract | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aqueous extracts of both root and stem | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethyl acetate | Experimental parasitology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethyl acetate extract of the roots | Frontiers in chemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| extracts | BMC complementary and alternative medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hexane | Experimental parasitology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methanol | Experimental parasitology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methanol root extract | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root and stem extracts | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root extracts | Frontiers in chemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |