Anthocleista is a genus of tree- and shrub-like tropical plants in the subtribe Potaliinae in the Gentian family. There are between 14 and 16 species in the genus, native mainly to tropical Africa, including Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands. Anthocleista was once placed in the family Loganiaceae, but more recent molecular, morphological, and phytochemical evidence has placed the group well within the Gentianaceae.
| Anthocleista | |
|---|---|
| |
| Anthocleista grandiflora | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Gentianaceae |
| Tribe: | Potalieae |
| Subtribe: | Potaliinae |
| Genus: | Anthocleista Afzel. ex R.Br. |
| Species | |
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See text | |
Uses
editTraditional Medicine
editIn Africa, traditional use of the plants of this species is used in diseases like Diabetes, Obesity, Hypertension, Constipation (as laxative), Impotence, Fertility problems, Hyperprolactinemia, Sexual dysfunction, Malaria, Worms, STDs (Gonorrhea, Syphilis), Fever(as antipyretic), Rheumatism, Bronchitis, Typhoid Fever, Hemorrhoids, Hernia and Cancer. This review cited only in vitro and animal research in support of these putative health benefits.[1]
Species
editAs of June 2024, Plants of the World Online accepts 16 species for this genus:[2]
- Anthocleista amplexicaulis Baker
- Anthocleista djalonensis A.Chev.
- Anthocleista grandiflora Gilg
- Anthocleista inermis Engl.
- Anthocleista laxiflora Baker
- Anthocleista liebrechtsiana De Wild. & T.Durand
- Anthocleista longifolia (Lam.) Boiteau
- Anthocleista madagascariensis Baker
- Anthocleista microphylla Wernham
- Anthocleista nobilis G.Don
- Anthocleista obanensis Wernham
- Anthocleista potalioides J.J.de Wilde
- Anthocleista procera Lepr. ex Bureau
- Anthocleista scandens Hook.f.
- Anthocleista schweinfurthii Gilg
- Anthocleista vogelii Planch.
References
edit- ^ "Medicinal plants of the genus Anthocleista - A review of their ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology".
- ^ "Anthocleista Afzel. ex R.Br. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2024-06-07.