Paullinia pinnata

Paullinia pinnata

Scientific Classification:

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Clade: Angiosperms
  • Order: Sapindales
  • Family: Sapindaceae
  • Genus: Paullinia
  • Species: P. pinnata

Synonyms:

  • Paullinia africana R.Br. ex Tedlie
  • Paullinia angusta N.E.Br.
  • Paullinia hostmannii Steud.
  • Paullinia pendulifolia Rusby
  • Cururu pinnata House
  • Pancovia heckelii Claudel
  • Tondin surinamensium Schill.

Species ID: NMP-291,wfo-0000471616,NCBI_Taxonomy ID: 290984

Common Names:

Local Names:

Basic Description:

Paullinia pinnata is a climbing shrub or liana characterized by its pinnate leaves with a winged rachis. The plant produces small, white flowers arranged in axillary inflorescences. Its fruit is approximately 2.5 cm long, obconical, three-lobed at the apex, and turns red when ripe. The seeds are black and partially enclosed in a white aril.

Distribution and Habitat:

This species has a wide distribution, native to tropical and subtropical regions of America and Africa, including Nigeria. It thrives in evergreen and mixed forests, often found along riverbanks and in moist, well-drained soils. In Zimbabwe, it is found at altitudes up to 1,200 meters.

Medicinal Properties:

Paullinia pinnata has been traditionally used in various cultures for its medicinal properties:

  • Antimicrobial Activity:
    • The plant exhibits antimicrobial properties, making it useful in treating infections.
  • Antimalarial Properties:
    • Extracts from P. pinnata have been used traditionally to treat malaria, and studies have supported its antimalarial efficacy.
  • Anticonvulsant Activity:
    • Scientific investigations have demonstrated the anticonvulsant activity of the stem bark, supporting its traditional use in managing seizures.
  • Aphrodisiac Use:
    • The roots are often soaked in a mixture of water and alcohol to enhance libido, indicating its use as an aphrodisiac.

Known Toxicity:

While Paullinia pinnata is valued for its medicinal properties, certain precautions are necessary:

  • Fish Poisoning:
    • The long, flexible stems of P. pinnata are used to poison fish in shallow pools, as described by the English naturalist Henry Walter Bates.

Additional Information:

Beyond its medicinal applications, Paullinia pinnata holds ecological significance:

  • Lepidopteran Host Plant:
    • The plant serves as a food source for various lepidopteran larvae, including species such as Morpho polyphemus and Euphaedra medon, indicating its role in supporting butterfly and moth populations.

References:

1.    Kew Science. (n.d.). Paullinia pinnata L. Plants of the World Online.
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/185718-2

2.    ACEPRD University of Jos. (n.d.). Paullinia pinnata Linn.
https://aceprd.unijos.edu.ng/plant-info/cfb1bfe1-3409-40ae-85df-8f2e424bbb64

3.    Flora of Zimbabwe. (n.d.). Species information: Paullinia pinnata.
https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=137290

4.    Nimedhealth. (2019, July 9). Interesting health benefits of Paullinia pinnata (timbo).
https://nimedhealth.com.ng/2019/07/09/health-benefits-of-paullinia-pinnata/

5.    Wikipedia contributors. (2023, January 20). Paullinia pinnata. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paullinia_pinnata

External Links

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paullinia_pinnata
  2. https://www.gbif.org/species/3189950
  3. http://www.westafricanplants.senckenberg.de/root/index.php?page_id=14&id=1216
  4. https://www.zambiaflora.com/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=137290
  5. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:185718-2
  6. https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1079/cabicompendium.38622
  7. https://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000471616;jsessionid=E43624891DE9EBC663452B92F2D0B1C0

More Pictures
Compounds of Paullinia pinnata
References

Ajibade, M. A., Akhigbemen, A. M., Okolie, N. P., & Ozolua, R. I. (2022). Methanol leaf extract of Paullinia pinnata exerts sleep-enhancing and anticonvulsant effects via a mechanism involving the GABAergic pathway. Epilepsy Research, 183, 106943.