devil's-cotton

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• devil's-cotton
• Devil’s Cotton

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Theobroma augustum
• Abroma elongatum
• Abroma javanicum
• Abroma molle
• Abroma sinuosum
• Abroma wheleri
• Abroma alatum
• Abroma angulatum
• Abroma angulosum
• Abroma commune
• Abroma denticulatum
• Abroma obliquum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized into the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by its genus, Abroma.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning across two distinct major regions. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found inhabiting the territories of Cameroon, Congo, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Moving toward Asia, the species also establishes itself within the diverse landscapes of China. Specifically, it is located in the South-Central part of the country as well as the Southeast region. Together, these locations highlight the broad ecological range of Abroma augustum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Abroma augustum is characterized by its specific distribution across diverse altitudinal gradients within its native habitat. This species thrives within a defined elevational range, occupying niches that extend from a minimum altitude of 200 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 1200 m AMSL. This altitudinal span suggests an adaptability to varying environmental pressures, including fluctuations in temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure associated with moving from lowland to mid-elevation tropical or subtropical zones. Its presence within these specific topographical limits dictates the availability of microclimates and soil compositions necessary for its growth and survival.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Abroma augustum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the plant is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits consistent with both phanerophyte life forms, meaning its perennially renewing buds are elevated well above the ground level. This growth habit ensures its longevity and ability to maintain a stable presence within its ecological niche through its extended life cycle.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Abroma augustum is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, typically reaching an average height of approximately 3 meters. As a terrestrial species, it inhabits non-aquatic environments and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. While it possesses a sturdy, self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber, its overall architecture is defined by its woody stems and shrubby habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Abroma augustum is characterized by specific metabolic and nutritional processes that govern its growth and survival within its natural ecosystem. A key aspect of its physiological profile involves its interaction with soil nutrients, particularly regarding its ability to engage in symbiotic relationships for nutrient acquisition; specifically, this species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules containing diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its physiological nitrogen economy relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium directly from the soil through its root system. Its metabolic pathways are optimized for efficient resource utilization, supporting the development of its structural components and the synthesis of secondary metabolites. The plant's physiological regulation of water and mineral transport is essential for maintaining turgor pressure and facilitating the biochemical reactions necessary for its growth cycles.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Abroma augustum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem.

Stem

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Abroma augustum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Coumarins, Flavonoids, Terpenes.

Coumarins

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Terpenes

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)