Biology:Tragia volubilis

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Short description: Species of plant

Tragia volubilis
Tragia volubilis, the Fireman Nettle (11239950426).jpg
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Tragia
Species:
T. volubilis
Binomial name
Tragia volubilis
L. (1753)[1]

Tragia volubilis also known as fireman [2] is a climbing subshrub or climbing shrub native to tropical America and Africa.[1] It belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family, Tragia genus. As many of the species of the genus, it has stinging hairs, similar to those of nettles.

Distribution

The species is distributed from Mexico and the Caribbean to Argentina, and in Central Africa.[1]

Uses

It is used as a poison[2] and also as a medicinal plant with diuretic and anti STD uses.[3]

Phytochemistry

The methanolic extract of the aerial parts of the plant contains alkaloids, flavonoids and tannins. Avicularin, quercitrin, afzelin and amentoflavone were isolated and identified from the extract. The biological activity of these compounds supports the ethnomedical uses of the plant.[4]

Partitions of the aqueous extract of T. volubilis reduce the activity of the chemotherapeutic doxorubicin.[5]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q6151516 entry