Ziziphus mucronata

Ziziphus mucronata, commonly known as the Buffalo Thorn, is a resilient deciduous shrub native to southern Africa. Renowned for its medicinal properties, various parts of this plant are used in traditional healing to treat ailments ranging from digestive issues to skin inflammations, offering significant ethnobotanical value in local communities.

  • Scientific name: Ziziphus mucronata
  • Family: Rhamnaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Rosales, it is classified under the family Rhamnaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Ziziphus.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Rosales WCVP
Family Rhamnaceae WCVP
Genus Ziziphus WCVP

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing within the borders of Benin and Burkina. Additionally, its presence extends to the coastal and inland areas of Gambia. The species is also documented to thrive in the tropical environments of Guinea. Finally, its geographical range includes the diverse landscapes of Ivory Coast.

Region Area Source
West Tropical Africa Benin WCVP
West Tropical Africa Burkina WCVP
West Tropical Africa Gambia WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea WCVP
West Tropical Africa Ivory Coast WCVP
West Tropical Africa Mali WCVP
West Tropical Africa Mauritania WCVP
West Tropical Africa Nigeria WCVP
West Tropical Africa Niger WCVP
West Tropical Africa Senegal WCVP

Activities

Ziziphus mucronata has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Mutagenic.

Total activities
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antidiabetic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Mutagenic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Ziziphus mucronata has 15 reported medicinal uses identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, Cervical Cancer, Lung Cancer, cancer, cholera.

Total uses
15
Scientific sources
15

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Alzheimer's disease 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cervical Cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Lung Cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cholera 1 ★☆☆☆☆
diarrhea 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hypertension 1 ★☆☆☆☆
malaria 1 ★☆☆☆☆
mastitis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
neurological disorders 1 ★☆☆☆☆