Botanical Overview
Juan la blanca (Spermacoce assurgens) 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 is native to the southeastern United States, West Indies, Mexico, Central America and South America. It is naturalized in Taiwan, Southeast Asia, China (Guangdong), India, Sri Lanka, New Guinea, Mauritius and many other oceanic islands.
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
Juan la blanca has been recorded in 10 countries and territories worldwide, including Colombia, Fiji, Micronesia, Japan, Kiribati, and others.
Active Compounds
Phytochemical research has identified 1 compound in this species: alkaloids.
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.