Aeollanthus suaveolens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aeollanthus affinis
• Aeollanthus suaveolens
• Aeollanthus suavis
• Aeollanthus edlingeri
• Aeollanthus glabrifolius
• Aeollanthus lamborayi
• Aeollanthus heliotropioides
• Aeollanthus claessensii
• Aeollanthus cassawa

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae, it is specifically classified under the genus Aeollanthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Aeollanthus suaveolens, exhibits a broad distribution across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in the countries of Benin, Ghana, and Nigeria. Its range also extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it is documented in Burundi. Additionally, the species is present within the borders of the Central African Republic. These diverse locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in various tropical environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aeollanthus suaveolens is characterized by its ability to thrive within specific altitudinal gradients, typically occupying various habitats ranging from lowland areas up to a maximum elevation of 1200 m AMSL. This plant is often found in open landscapes, disturbed sites, or rocky terrains where it can access sufficient sunlight and well-drained soil conditions. Its distribution within this elevational range suggests an adaptation to diverse microclimates, allowing it to colonize different ecological niches within tropical or subtropical regions. The environmental tolerance of the species enables it to persist in environments that may experience seasonal shifts in moisture and temperature, provided it remains within its preferred altitudinal limits.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Aeollanthus suaveolens is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennuating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by the leaf litter or the ground layer during unfavorable environmental conditions. This growth habit enables the species to establish a stable presence in its habitat, utilizing its protected meristematic tissues to regrow following periods of dormancy or stress.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Aeollanthus suaveolens is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a herb and a forb. This plant is terrestrial in nature, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its structural habit, it is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing behavior. Regarding its stature, the plant maintains a relatively low profile, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum and mean height of 0.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Aeloanthus suaveolens is characterized by specialized metabolic processes geared toward survival in specific ecological niches, particularly regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies. A key aspect of its physiological profile involves its interaction with soil nutrients and its capacity for symbiotic relationships; specifically, regarding its ability to function as a nitrogen fixer, the plant does not possess the biological mechanisms required for this process, meaning its nitrogen fixation status is no. Instead, the plant relies on the uptake of available nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system to support its growth and various secondary metabolic pathways. Its physiological functions are further defined by its photosynthetic efficiency and the regulation of water potential to maintain cellular turgor, which allows it to manage the transpiration demands of its environment while synthesizing the bioactive compounds inherent to its species.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Aeollanthus suaveolens has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Citral, Citronellol, Linalool, eugenol, gamma-Decanolactone.

Citral

1. Journal de mycologie medicale

Citronellol

1. Journal de mycologie medicale

Linalool

1. Journal de mycologie medicale

eugenol

1. Journal de mycologie medicale

gamma-Decanolactone

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Aeollanthus suaveolens has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticonvulsant, Sedative.

Anticonvulsant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Sedative

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Aeollanthus suaveolens has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Essential oils, essential oil.

Essential oils

1. Journal de mycologie medicale

Essential oil

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology