Napoleonaea imperialis

Napoleonaea imperialis

Scientific Classification

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Clade: Tracheophyta
  • Class: Magnoliopsida
  • Order: Ericales
  • Family: Lecythidaceae
  • Genus: Napoleonaea
  • Species: N. imperialis

Synonyms

  • Belvisia caerulea Desv.
  • Napoleona whitfieldii Decne.
  • Napoleonaea cuspidata Miers
  • Napoleonaea miersii Hook.f.

Species ID: NMP-235;wfo-0000774632;NCBI_Taxonomy ID: 112508

Common Names:

Description

Napoleonaea imperialis is a slow-growing, evergreen shrub or small tree that typically reaches up to 7 meters in height. It has a dense, low-branching crown with large, glossy green leaves arranged alternately along the branches. The plant produces showy, multi-colored flowers resembling passionfruit flowers, usually in shades of yellow, red, and purple. These flowers bloom singly on the trunk and branches, often obscured by the dense foliage. The fruit is a round, flattened berry that ripens to a red-brown color.

Distribution and Habitat

Napoleonaea imperialis is native to West Africa, with its range extending from southern Benin to Nigeria. It thrives in wet tropical biomes, commonly found as an understory tree in rainforests. The species prefers moist, lowland tropical environments and is often found in secondary forests and along riverbanks.

Medicinal Properties

Various parts of Napoleonaea imperialis are utilized in traditional medicine:

  • Leaves and Seeds: Extracts display bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, justifying their use in treating infections.
  • Bark and Fruit Pulp: Chewed to alleviate pulmonary problems.
  • Seeds: Contain compounds such as napoleogenol, napoleogenin, and napoleonaside, which have shown molluscicidal properties.

These applications underscore the plant's significance in traditional healing practices.

Known Toxicity

While Napoleonaea imperialis is used medicinally, certain parts of the plant, particularly the seeds, are considered toxic. The presence of bioactive compounds necessitates caution in its use, and it is advisable to consult knowledgeable practitioners before any medicinal application.

Additional Information

  • Ornamental Use: The plant is cultivated for its attractive flowers and foliage, making it a popular choice in tropical gardens.
  • Cultural Significance: The species was described in 1804, the same year Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor of the French, which is reflected in its common name.

References

  1. Palisot de Beauvois, A. M. F. J. (1804). Napoléone Impériale.
  2. Wikipedia contributors. (2024, November 6). Napoleonaea imperialis. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleonaea_imperialis
  3. Kew Science. (n.d.). Napoleonaea imperialis P.Beauv. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:469480-1
  4. Useful Tropical Plants. (n.d.). Napoleonaea imperialis. Retrieved from https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Napoleonaea+imperialis

External Links

  1. https://www.gbif.org/species/3083461
  2. https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Napoleonaea+imperialis
  3. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:469480-1
  4. https://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/learn-with-us/explore-resources/whats-blooming/napoleons-hat.html

More Pictures


Compounds of Napoleonaea imperialis
References

Jack, I. R., Ekong, R. E., & Ndukwe, G. I. (2020). Phytochemical constituents of dichloromethane fraction and essential oil of Napoleonaea imperialis rind. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 9(5), 59-66.