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Scientific
Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Order: Malpighiales
- Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Genus: Tragia
- Species: T. benthamii
Synonyms
- Tragia kassiliensis Beille
- Tragia keniensis Rendle
- Tragia mitis var. kirkii Müll.Arg.
Species
ID: NMP-248;wfo-0000326601;NCBI_Taxonomy ID: 1777524 Common
Names: Climbing
nettle. Local
Names: In Ivory Coast, the plant is known as suinzo
(Guere), atutuma (Baule), yu or yule (Dan), wonfredidi (Kru-Bete), inleyo or
ngimaleyo (Kulango), uinzeni or wenzani (Guere), agnansompo or agnansono
(Akan-Brong), and assuatotoma (Anyi). In Ghana, it is called batafo sasono =
bush pig’s nettle (Twi), nsasun (Fante), gbieha (Adangme-Krobo), and nsasun
(Akan-Asante). In Nigeria, it is referred to as abalagwo or abwala (Igbo),
ibabidon (Edo), and esisi funfun (Yoruba). Additionally, it is commonly known
as climbing nettle in Malawi and Cameroon Description Tragia
benthamii is
characterized by:
- Growth Form: A straggling or climbing
plant, occasionally an erect shrub, with woody stems ranging from 1 to 4.5
meters in length.
- Leaves: Covered with stinging hairs
that can cause a painful sting upon contact.
- Flowers and Fruits: Specific details are not
extensively documented.
Distribution
and Habitat Tragia
benthamii is native
to tropical Africa, including:
- West Africa: Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Togo,
Ivory Coast.
- Central Africa: Cameroon, Gabon, Congo.
- East Africa: Ethiopia, Uganda.
- Southern Africa: Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe,
Mozambique.
It
thrives in:
- Habitats: Floodplain thickets,
termitaria in floodplain grasslands, rocky outcrops, and pan margins in
mopane woodlands.
- Elevation: From sea level up to around
1,000 meters.
Medicinal
Properties Traditional
uses of Tragia benthamii include:
- Purgative: Root decoctions are
administered as purgatives, especially for infants and young children.
- Obstetric Uses: Roots are given to women experiencing
labor pains; root extracts serve as abortifacients and aid in childbirth.
- Treatment of Infections: Leaf extracts are consumed to
treat gonorrhea, stomach aches, diarrhea, and gastroenteritis.
- Antiparasitic: Leaf extracts are used to
eliminate internal parasites, including tapeworms.
- Wound Care: The plant is utilized for
washing wounds and treating sores.
Known
Toxicity Tragia
benthamii is
covered with stinging hairs that can inflict painful stings upon contact, with
discomfort lasting approximately ten minutes. In Côte d'Ivoire, the plant has
been used in harmful mixtures, indicating its potential for misuse. Additional
Information
- Phytochemical Composition: The plant contains
cysteine-rich peptides, which may contribute to its anti-inflammatory
properties.
- Ethnopharmacological
Significance:
Tragia benthamii is among the species in the Tragia genus
utilized in traditional medicine across Africa and the Indian
subcontinent, primarily for antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and
reproductive health purposes.
References
- Plants of the World Online.
(n.d.). Tragia benthamii Baker. Retrieved from
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:357675-1
- Useful Tropical Plants. (n.d.).
Tragia benthamii. Retrieved from https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Tragia+benthamii
- Onasanwo, S. A., et al. (2020).
Detection of cysteine-rich peptides in Tragia benthamii Baker: A tropical
plant with anti-inflammatory activity. Physical Sciences Reviews,
2020(12), 125. https://doi.org/10.1515/psr-2020-0125
- Duarte-Casar, R., &
Romero-Benavides, J. C. (2021). Tragia L. Genus:
Ethnopharmacological Use, Phytochemical Composition and Biological
Activity. Plants, 10(12), 2717.
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10122717
External
links - Tragia
benthamii (Benthamii Tragia, Benthamii Tree, Benthamii Tree) - Uses, Benefits
& Common Names
- Tragia L. Genus:
Ethnopharmacological Use, Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activity -
PMC
- https://www.botanicalrealm.com/plant-identification/tragia-benthamii/
- https://www.selinawamucii.com/plants/euphorbiaceae/tragia-benthamii/
- http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-207229
- https://www.gbif.org/species/3061791
- https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragia_benthamii
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