Stillingia | |
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Stillingia linearifolia | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Malpighiales |
Family: | Euphorbiaceae |
Subfamily: | Euphorbioideae |
Tribe: | Hippomaneae |
Subtribe: | Hippomaninae |
Genus: | Stillingia Garden ex L. 1767 (Syst. Nat. (ed. 12) 2: 611, 637) not L. 1767 (Mant. Pl. 1:19) |
Synonyms [1] | |
GymnostillingiaMüll.Arg. |
Stillingia is a plant genus of the family Euphorbiaceae, first described for modern science as a genus in 1767. [2] The genus is native to Latin America, the southern United States, and various islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. [1] [3] [4] [5] [6] Toothleaf is a common name for plants in this genus. [7]
It is known to contain diterpene esters.
It can grow up to 4 feet, but most Toothleaf do not.
Stillingia sylvatica was used by Native Americans for syphilis and as a cathartic, diuretic, laxative, and emetic. [8] In large doses, it causes vomiting and diarrhea.
Stillingia root is one of the ingredients in Hoxsey Herbal Therapy, which is promoted as an alternative cancer treatment. However, there is no medical evidence to support use of Stillingia to treat cancer, infections, or other medical conditions.
Species include: [1]
Many species formerly in Stillingia have been moved to other genera, including Actinostemon , Adenopeltis , Anomostachys , Balakata , Bonania , Ditrysinia , Excoecaria , Grimmeodendron , Gymnanthes , Homalanthus , Maprounea , Microstachys , Neoshirakia , Sapium , Sclerocroton , Sebastiania , Shirakiopsis , Spegazziniophytum , Spirostachys , and Triadica . [1]