Biology:Heliotropium foertherianum
| Heliotropium foertherianum | |
|---|---|
| |
| In the Hawaiian Islands | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Boraginales |
| Family: | Boraginaceae |
| Genus: | Heliotropium |
| Species: | H. foertherianum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Heliotropium foertherianum Diane & Hilger
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Tournefortia argentea L.f. | |
Heliotropium foertherianum is a species of flowering plant in the borage family, Boraginaceae. It is native to tropical Asia including southern China , Madagascar , northern Australia , and most of the atolls and high islands of Micronesia and Polynesia. Common names include velvetleaf soldierbush,[2] tree heliotrope, veloutier, and octopus bush. It is a shrub or small tree typical of littoral zones reaching a height of 3.6 m (12 ft), with a spread of about 5 m (16 ft).[citation needed]
Taxonomy
Originally published as Tournefortia argentea, it was transferred to Argusia argentea, and remained under that name until recently. It was subsequently restored to Tournefortia before being transferred into Heliotropium under a new name in 2003.[3][4]
Uses
Historically in the Maldives the leaves were often used as famine food.[5]
Wood
The wood of H. foertherianum is commonly used to make handicrafts, tools, and, in Polynesia, frames for swim goggles. Due to its availability, H. foertherianum is used as firewood, and has become rare in some areas as a result.[6]
Medicinal
Octopus bush is used in many Pacific islands as a traditional medicine to treat ciguatera fish poisoning, which is caused by powerful ciguatoxins produced by microscopic Gambierdiscus algae. Scientists from the Institute of Research for Development (IRD) and the Louis Malarde Institute in French Polynesia and Pasteur Institute in New Caledonia are researching the plant chemistry and believe that senescent leaves contain rosmarinic acid and derivatives, which are known for its antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.[7] The researchers think that rosmarinic acid removes the ciguatoxins from their sites of action, as well as being an anti-inflammatory agent.
References
- ↑ World Conservation Monitoring Centre (2018). "Heliotropium foertherianum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T34280A128343617. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/34280/128343617. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ↑ "Tournefortia argentea". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=TOAR2. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- ↑ Hilger, Hartmut H. (2003-12-01). "IngentaConnect A systematic analysis of Heliotropiaceae (Boraginales) based on t". Botanische Jahrbücher 125: 19–51. doi:10.1127/0006-8152/2003/0125-0019.
- ↑ "Heliotropium foertherianum Diane & Hilger". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/apni?taxon_id=266155.
- ↑ Eating on the Islands - As times have changed, so has the Maldives' unique cuisine and culture
- ↑ Elevitch, Craig R.; Harley I. Manner (April 2006) (PDF). Tournefortia argentea (tree heliotrope). The Traditional Tree Initiative. http://www.agroforestry.net/tti/Tournefortia-treeheliotr.pdf.
- ↑ "Protective effect of Heliotropium foertherianum (Boraginaceae) folk remedy and its active compound, rosmarinic acid, against a Pacific ciguatoxin". Journal of Ethnopharmacology 143 (1): 33–40. August 2012. 30 August 2012. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2012.05.045. PMID 22706150.
External links
Wikidata ☰ Q2065214 entry
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