Alafia barteri

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Alafia giraudii
• Alafia glabriflora
• Alafia klaineana
• Alafia verschuerenii

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Alafia barteri, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Gentianaales and the family Apocynaceae. It is further categorized under the genus Alafia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Alfia barteri, is found across several countries within the West Tropical Africa region. Its specific distribution includes the nation of Benin, where it grows in suitable local habitats. It is also documented to occur within the borders of Ghana. Furthermore, the species can be located in Guinea and the Ivory Coast. Finally, its geographical range extends into Liberia, completing its presence in this part of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Alafia barteri is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a growth form where the perennating buds are borne on aerial shoots well above the ground. Within this category, its specific ecological strategy aligns with the traits of a phanerophyte, indicating a robust perennial nature that allows it to maintain its reproductive structures and vegetative biomass above the soil surface through various seasonal cycles. This life form enables the plant to navigate its environment by positioning its vital organs away from ground-level disturbances and temperature fluctuations, ensuring long-term survival and consistent reproductive potential.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Alafia barteri is characterized by a growth form primarily categorized as a shrub, though it exhibits variable woodiness across its structure. As a climbing plant, it functions as an obligatory liana, utilizing its vine-like growth habit to ascend, rather than being self-supporting. The plant can reach a significant height, with a mean plant height recorded at 25 m. In terms of its ecological positioning and nutritional strategy, it is an independent organism that does not act as a parasite, and it maintains a terrestrial existence rather than living as an epiphyte.

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

variable

Physiology

The physiology of Alafia barteri is characterized by specialized metabolic processes geared toward survival in tropical environments, though it does not exhibit the capacity for symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Regarding its nutritional physiology, specifically in relation to nitrogen acquisition, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer (trait_1: Nitrogen fixer; trait_2: Nitrogen_fix_1; trait_value: no; trait_units: yes, no), meaning it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system rather than converting atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms via rhizobial associations. Its physiological framework involves complex secondary metabolite production, which serves as a biochemical defense mechanism, and a coordinated photosynthetic apparatus optimized for seasonal light availability. The plant's water regulation and nutrient transport mechanisms are essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and supporting its growth cycles within its native ecological niche.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Alafia barteri 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 root.

Root

1. Nigerian quarterly journal of hospital medicine

Activities

Alafia barteri has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic.

Analgesic

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Medicinal Uses

Alafia barteri has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include pain.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations