Psorospermum androsaemifolium

Psorospermum androsaemifolium
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Hypericaceae
Genus: Psorospermum
Species:
P. androsaemifolium
Binomial name
Psorospermum androsaemifolium

Psorospermum androsaemifolium is a species of flowering plant in the family Hypericaceae. A shrub or tree, the species is found in a seasonally dry tropical habitat. It was described by John Gilbert Baker in 1882 and is found in the west and central regions of Madagascar,[1] where it is known as tsifady, harongampanihy, fanerana and hazomafaika.[2] The specific epithet androsaemifolium derives from Hypericum sect. Androsaemum and means "leaves like those of Androsaemum".[3]

Description

Psorospermum androsaemifolium is a shrub that grows 1.8โ€“2.4 meters tall. There is a small amount of rust-colored hairs on the young branches. The leaves have a leaf stalk, are an oblong shape, and measure 5โ€“7.5 centimeters long. They have notched edges (crenulate) and are covered with many black glands. The flower clusters (inflorescences) are dense cymes with short, erect pedicels. The petals are a lance shape, with the point towards the base (oblanceolate), and are a yellow-white color with "conspicuous" black lines on their surface. The stamens are arranged in five bundles (fascicles); the ovary is globe-shaped and has five cells; the fruit is a yellow pea-sized berry that contains one or two seeds.[4]

Chemistry and uses

The triterpene chemicals amyrin and lupeol acetate have been isolated from the leaves and stem of the species.[5] Also found in the leaves and stem are the flavonoids quercetin and acantophorin.[6] Long-chain fats like 12-hentricontanol and hentricontane were found only in the leaves.[7]

Psorospermum androsaemifolium has been used in traditional medicine to treat spider and insect bites, as well as stomach ailments.[8] Some chemical constituents isolated from the species, including acanthophorin and vismiaquinone, have demonstrated minor antifungal and antibacterial properties in a laboratory setting.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Psorospermum androsaemifolium Baker". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
  2. ^ Poumale et al. 2008, p. 1428.
  3. ^ Neill 2005, p. 14.
  4. ^ Baker, J.G. (1992). "Contributions to the Flora of Central Madagascar". Journal of Botany, British and Foreign. 20: 19.
  5. ^ Diel et al. 2021, p. 1134.
  6. ^ Diel et al. 2021, p. 1136.
  7. ^ Diel et al. 2021, p. 1137.
  8. ^ Diel et al. 2021, p. 1115.
  9. ^ Poumale et al. 2008, p. 1430.

Bibliography