Botanical Overview
Putoria calabrica is a species in the Rubiaceae family. The coffee family (Rubiaceae) includes trees, shrubs, and herbs with opposite leaves and interpetiolar stipules. The flowers are typically tubular with four or five petals. The family includes coffee (Coffea), quinine-producing Cinchona, and numerous other medicinal species with alkaloid constituents. Phytochemical data for this species are limited at present.
General Description
It has whorls of narrow, aromatic leaves and terminal clusters of tubular pink flowers. Phuopsis stylosa is native to the Caucasus and Iran, and is widely grown elsewhere as a garden plant.
Family Context
The Rubiaceae family is large and primarily tropical. Notable medicinal members include:
- Indian Mulberry — 56 documented uses
- Madder — 41 documented uses
- Gardenia — 34 documented uses
- Lojabark — 32 documented uses
Geographic Distribution
Putoria calabrica has been recorded in 10 countries and territories worldwide, including Cyprus, Algeria, Spain, Greece, Croatia, and others.
Active Compounds
Phytochemical research has identified 1 compound in this species: betulinic-acid.
Research Status
Although this species has documented phytochemical constituents, its ethnobotanical and clinical documentation remains incomplete. The limited documentation available for this species represents an opportunity for ethnobotanical research.