Wikipedia

Rotheca myricoides

Rotheca myricoides or Butterfly Clerodendrum, Butterfly Bush, and (butterfly bush – also a name for Buddleja species) is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae.[1] [2]It is native to tropical eastern Africa and widely cultivated elsewhere.[1] In cultivation, it is frequently known by one of its synonyms, such as Clerodendrum myricoides.[3]

Rotheca myricoides
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Rotheca
Species:
R. myricoides
Binomial name
Rotheca myricoides
Synonyms

Clerodendrum myricoides (Hochst.) Vatke
Clerodendrum ugandense Prain
Spironema myricoides Hochst. (basionym

The cultivar 'Ugandense' is an untidy evergreen shrub growing to 4 m (13 ft) tall and 2.5 m (8.2 ft) broad, with oval leaves and masses of pale-violet blue butterfly-like flowers in summer and autumn. Each flower has a darker blue lower petal. With a minimum temperature of 10 °C (50 °F), this plant can only be grown under glass in temperate zones. The altitude range for this species is 900–1680 m.[4] The plant It has won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[5]

Distribution

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Rotheca myricoides is native to mountains from Eritrea to South Africa.[6] It is native to Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Caprivi Strip, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eswatini, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, KwaZulu-Natal, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Northern Provinces, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.[6] It was introduced to Trinidad-Tobago, Australia, Brazil.[7][6]

Habitat

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This species may be found in rocky places, streams and edges of the evergreen forest.[8]The shrub thrives in frost free climates, tolerating full sun to part shade, but preferring part shade and moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter.[9] In colder climates, 'Ugandese' is often grown in containers as it cannot stand temperatires be low 10°C (50°F).[10] If temeperatures fall below -3.9°C (25°F) the plant may die, but rejuvenates fom its roots in spring.[10]

Etymology

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The Genus name, Rotheca, seemingly comes from the Malaysian words "cheriga" which means small and "thekku" which means teak.[11] The species epithet comes form a French word "myriades" which means ten thousand and a Latinization of a Greek "oides" which means to see.[11] Some say that the species epithet came about because it resembles another species in Myrica so the name refers to the leaf shape.[8]

'Ugandense' is a cultivar of this species which shows purplish-blue flowers with flashy stamens.[11] Originally named Clerodendrum myricoides 'Ugandense' but a 1998 study let to its current status as Rotheca myricoides 'Ugandense".[11]

Morphology

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Flowers

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The flowers are arranged in dichasial cymes and are sometimes arranged in short-pedunculate panicles.[6][12] The stamens and styles are long-exserted and curve upwards.[12] The corolla is asymmetrical in the bud and they have a mid-lobe dark blue or violet blue while the lateral lobes are pale blue or mauve.[6][12] The calyx is bud-shaped with a tube of 5mm long and the lobes rounded to triangular.[6]

Lots of variation in the flower colour. It can be green and blue or mauve, white and blue, or blue to mauve.[13]

Fruits

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The fruits of this species are 5-6 by 8–10 mm in dimension and are mostly deeply 4-lobed.[6] To attract birds the plant produces small, black, drupe-like fruits when pollinated.

Leaves

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The leaf outline is mostly ovate to rhomboid.[13] The outline can sometimes be elliptic or obovate.[13] The leaf margin is dentate or deeply lobed.[13] The indumentum of the leaves can be variable. There is often a hairy upper surface and can be sparsely to densely hairy on the lower surface. It has been described to feel velvety.[13] When the leaves are crushed, there is an unpleasant scent.[14] This may be due to the pelate hairs or pelate glands on the leaves.[14] The leaves are opposite are whorls of 3–4.[15] The petiole is 0–24 mm long.[15]

Branches

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The young branches are normally angular, pale greyish-whitish and using with white lenticels. They are hairy, mostly at the growth points. The arrangement of the main branches are normally opposite. There are prominent leaf scars on the branches as well.[14] The branches can be 4-angled and brownish-red towards the apex. The lateral branches are short, leafy and flowering.[15]

Medicinal Uses

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Traditional

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Rotheca myricoides is used in traditional medicine to manage diabetes in lower eastern part of Kenya. This area constitutes mostly by the Kamba community.[16] They take this medicine daily by boiling and consuming the leaves.[16] This species is also used to treat epilepsy, arthritis, typhoid, cough, eye problems, tonsillitis, rheumatism, gonorrhoea,[17] cancer,[18] malaria,[19] dysmenorrhea, sterility, and impotence.[20]

In traditional medicine, European and African cultures used the bark of the species in its powdered form, and a teaspoon is used to treat snakebites.[21] The Masai used the root bark for East Coast fever in cattle and diarrhea in their calves.[21] The Haya and Shambala used Rotheca myricoides for dysmenorrhoea and cough, furunculosis and swellings that are associated with debility.[21] [21] In various African communities,The root of the plant is also used for chest pain, colds, gum bleeding indigestion, headaches, and bathing people with convulsions.[21][22] In West Africa, the plant is used for analgesic and antipyretic purposes.

In Asian countries, this species has been brewed as a tea to relieve swelling and pain.[23]

Recent Studies

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A 2019 study looked at freeze-dried extracts of the Rotheca myricoides and found that they possess significant anti-hyperglycemic and antidyslipidemic effects on a type 2 diabetes rat model. The antidyslipidemic effects included decreased total plasma cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, serum triglyceride and increased HDL-cholesterol.[24] The freeze-dried extracts also lowered the serum uric levels and hepatic triglycerides and hepatic weight.[25] This study confirms the effectiveness of the traditional medicine to manage diabetes in Kenya. The mechanism for the antidiabetic effects is due to the modulation of PPAR-γ.[24]

A 2008 study found that Rotheca myricoides had antimutagenic properties.[25] The leaf extract of the species and DCM and MeOH extracts shows clear anti-mutagenicity. The antimutagenic properties were seen even at low doses of 0.05 mg/L.[25]

Rotheca myricoides is one ingredient (along with four African medicinal plants: Clerodendrum glabrum E. Mey. Lamiaceae, Gladiolus dalenii van Geel, and Senna occidentalis (L.) Link) in a new COVID-19 therapeutic candidate called PHELA.[26] In vitro testing found that PHELA inhibited >90% of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV infection at concentration levels of 0.005 mg/mL to 0.03 mg/mL.[26] They also found that PHELA had very strong binding energy interactions with SARS-CoV-2 proteins.[26]

Ecology

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The Rotheca myricoides interacts with several other species.[27] Pseumenes depressus, the Asian Hornet, and Xylocopa ruficeps all visit the Rotheca myricoides. Xylocopa phalothorax, Xylocopa tranquebarorum, Xylocopa nasalis eat the Rotheca myricoides.[27] The plant plays a significant role in its native ecosystems by supporting pollinators like butterflie and bees. Its long corolla tubes are adapted to attract specific pollinators with long proboscises for effective pollen transfer. The plant provides food to birds that consume its drupes helping in seed disperssal.[28]

The status on the Red List of South African plants is at "Least Concern" as assessed on 2005/06/30 as it was not highlighted as a potential taxa for conservation concern.[29]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Rotheca myricoides". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2009-04-13.
  2. ^ LLC, Top Tropicals. "Rotheca myricoides, Clerodendrum ugandense, Butterfly Clerodendrum, Blue Butterfly Bush, Blue Glory Bower, Blue Wings". TopTropicals.com - rare plants for home and garden. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  3. ^ "Clerodendrum myricoides 'Ugandense'". Plant Finder. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 2015-07-24.
  4. ^ Steane, D. A.; Mabberley, D. J. (1998). "Rotheca (Lamiaceae) Revived". Novon. 8 (2): 204. doi:10.2307/3391997. ISSN 1055-3177. JSTOR 3391997.
  5. ^ "Rotheca myricoides 'Ugandense'". RHS. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Rotheca myricoides (Hochst.) Steane & Mabb. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  7. ^ "Rotheca myricoides (Hochst.) Steane & Mabb". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  8. ^ a b "Flora of Botswana: Species information: Rotheca myricoides". www.botswanaflora.com. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
  9. ^ "Rotheca myricoides 'Ugandense' (Blue Butterfly Bush, Blue Glory Bower, Butterfly bush) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  10. ^ a b "Rotheca myricoides 'Ugandense' (Blue Butterfly Bush, Blue Glory Bower, Butterfly bush) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  11. ^ a b c d "Rotheca myricoides 'Ugandense' - Plant Finder". www.missouribotanicalgarden.org. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  12. ^ a b c "Rotheca myricoides (Hochst.) Steane & Mabb". www.worldfloraonline.org. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  13. ^ a b c d e "Labiatae (Lamiaceae) – Hausa potato family", Flowering Plants in West Africa, Cambridge University Press, pp. 258–263, 1988-06-09, doi:10.1017/cbo9780511551505.032, ISBN 9780521261920, retrieved 2022-12-05
  14. ^ a b c Verdcourt, B (1992). Flora of Tropical East Africa-Verbenaceae.
  15. ^ a b c Thulin, Mats (1999). "A New Combination for a Grewia (Tiliaceae) from Somalia". Kew Bulletin. 54 (4): 1007–1008. doi:10.2307/4111185. ISSN 0075-5974. JSTOR 4111185.
  16. ^ a b Keter, Lucia K.; Mutiso, Patrick C. (January 2012). "Ethnobotanical studies of medicinal plants used by Traditional Health Practitioners in the management of diabetes in Lower Eastern Province, Kenya". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 139 (1): 74–80. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.10.014. ISSN 0378-8741. PMID 22020309.
  17. ^ Moshi, Mainen J.; Otieno, Donald F.; Weisheit, Anke (2012-04-04). "Ethnomedicine of the Kagera Region, north western Tanzania. Part 3: plants used in traditional medicine in Kikuku village, Muleba District". Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 8 (1): 14. doi:10.1186/1746-4269-8-14. ISSN 1746-4269. PMC 3349493. PMID 22472473.
  18. ^ Tadesse, Tesfaye Yimer; Zeleke, Mulugeta Molla; Dagnew, Samuel Berihun (September 2022). "Review of Ethnobotanical and Ethnopharmacological Evidence of Some Ethiopian Medicinal Plants Traditionally Used for Peptic Ulcer Disease Treatment". Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology. 15: 171–187. doi:10.2147/ceg.s384395. ISSN 1178-7023. PMC 9517940. PMID 36186925. S2CID 252507350.
  19. ^ Mukungu, Nillian; Abuga, Kennedy; Okalebo, Faith; Ingwela, Raphael; Mwangi, Julius (December 2016). "Medicinal plants used for management of malaria among the Luhya community of Kakamega East sub-County, Kenya". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 194: 98–107. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.08.050. ISSN 0378-8741. PMC 5176009. PMID 27586821. S2CID 18111784.
  20. ^ Sawadogo, W.R.; Maciuk, A.; Banzouzi, J.T.; Champy, P.; Figadere, B.; Guissou, I.P.; Nacoulma, O.G. (March 2012). "Mutagenic effect, antioxidant and anticancer activities of six medicinal plants from Burkina Faso". Natural Product Research. 26 (6): 575–579. doi:10.1080/14786419.2010.534737. ISSN 1478-6419. PMID 21809951. S2CID 205837271.
  21. ^ a b c d e Miller, James S. (1997-09-01). "Zulu Medicinal Plants: An Inventory By A. Hutchings with A. H. Scott, G. Lewis, and A. B. Cunningham (University of Zululand). University of Natal Press, Pietermaritzburg. 1996. xiv + 450 pp. 21 × 29.5 cm. $133.00. ISBN 0-86980-893-1". Journal of Natural Products. 60 (9): 955. doi:10.1021/np970084y. ISSN 0163-3864.
  22. ^ Fang, Xiaoai; Zhang, Siyi (2021-09-02). "The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Rotheca myricoides (Hochst.) Steane & Mabb., a traditional medicinal plant". Mitochondrial DNA Part B. 6 (9): 2699–2700. doi:10.1080/23802359.2021.1966340. ISSN 2380-2359. PMC 8382008.
  23. ^ Matsabisa, Motlalepula Gilbert; Tripathy, Satyajit; Dassarma, Barsha; Chabalala, Hlupheka P.; Mukherjee, Pulok Kumar (2022), "African traditional herbal medicine: Addressing standardization and quality control challenges for product development", Evidence-Based Validation of Herbal Medicine, Elsevier, pp. 561–586, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-85542-6.00027-5, ISBN 9780323855426, retrieved 2022-12-05
  24. ^ a b Chege, Boniface Mwangi; Waweru, Mwangi Peter; Frederick, Bukachi; Nyaga, Nelly Murugi (November 2019). "The freeze-dried extracts of Rotheca myricoides (Hochst.) Steane & Mabb possess hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and hypoinsulinemic on type 2 diabetes rat model". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 244: 112077. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2019.112077. ISSN 0378-8741. PMID 31369832. S2CID 199380202.  Text was copied from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
  25. ^ a b c Verschaeve, L.; Van Staden, J. (October 2008). "Mutagenic and antimutagenic properties of extracts from South African traditional medicinal plants". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 119 (3): 575–587. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2008.06.007. ISSN 0378-8741. PMID 18602977.  Text was copied from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
  26. ^ a b c Matsabisa, M. G.; Alexandre, K.; Ibeji, Collins U.; Tripathy, S.; Erukainure, Ochuko L.; Malatji, K.; Chauke, S.; Okole, B.; Chabalala, H. P. (2022-06-19). "In vitro study on efficacy of PHELA, an African traditional drug against SARS-CoV-2". Scientific Reports. 12 (1): 10305. Bibcode:2022NatSR..1210305M. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-13599-y. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 9207029. PMID 35718800. S2CID 249868349.   Text was copied from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
  27. ^ a b "search". www.globalbioticinteractions.org. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
  28. ^ "Rotheca myricoides – PLANTBOOK". www.plantbook.co.za. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  29. ^ "Threatened Species Programme | SANBI Red List of South African Plants". redlist.sanbi.org. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
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