Anthopterus wardii, the aengue mishito, is a species of Anthopterus belonging to the family Ericaceae. It is native to the tropical regions of Central and South America, such as Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador.[1]

Anthopterus wardii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Anthopterus
Species:
A. wardii
Binomial name
Anthopterus wardii
Ball

Description

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Anthopterus wardii is a flowering shrub with flowers ranging from pink to orange in color and 8–10 mm long. Its leaves are elliptic to ovate-elliptic and 4–10 x 1.5–3.5 cm in size.[2] Its racemose usually have 2–10 flowers.

Health benefits

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Anthopterus wardii has possible health benefits based on its antioxidant properties and phenolic profile.[3] This can be the precursor for many compounds with health benefits including, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antimutagenic activities.[4] It is possible that the antioxidants can help prevent heart disease.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Anthopterus wardii Family: Ericaceae Neotropical Blueberry". Top Tropicals. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Anthopterus wardii Ball, Hooker". New York Botanical Garden. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  3. ^ Keyvan Dastmalchi; Gema Flores; Vanya Petrova; Paola Pedraza-Penaloza; Edward J. Kenelly (2011). "Edible Neotropical Blueberries: Antioxidant and Compositional Fingerprint Analysis". J Agric Food Chem. 59 (7). US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health: 3020–3026. doi:10.1021/jf200367j. PMC 3389551. PMID 21391608.
  4. ^ "Phenolic Compound". ScienceDirect. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  5. ^ "'Super' blueberries from South America". United Press International. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2021.