Allophylus africanus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant, Allophylus africanus, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing within the borders of Benin. The species is also documented to inhabit the territory of Burkina. Furthermore, its presence extends to the coastal areas of Gambia. Finally, this medicinal plant is distributed throughout Ghana and Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Allophylus africanus is characterized by its preference for specific moisture-rich environments, typically found growing in riverine areas or within moist wooded grasslands. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from lowland regions as low as 5 m AMSL to higher elevations reaching a maximum of 1675 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1675 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

5 m AMSL

Habitat :

riverine or in moist wooded grassland

Life history

The life history of Allophylus africanus is characterized by its classification as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategy, the species is identified as a phanerophyte, a life form where the reproductive buds are located high above the ground on woody stems or branches. This phanerophytic nature is further specified through its categorization as a phanerophyte, indicating a robust growth habit that enables it to maintain its vegetative structures and reproductive potential over a long-term developmental cycle.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Allophylus africanus is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree. It is a terrestrial species that grows independently, functioning as a non-parasitic organism. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant vertical development, with a minimum height of 3 m, a mean height of 7.5 m, and a maximum height reaching up to 8 m. Although it possesses a self-supporting structure rather than being a climbing vine or liana, its physical architecture is consistent with that of a robust, woody terrestrial tree.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height mean:

7.5 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproductive cycle of Allophylus africanus is characterized by a specific seasonal progression, with the flowering period primarily commencing in April and concluding in May. This relatively brief flowering window is closely followed by the fruiting stage, which also centers around the month of May, indicating a rapid transition from pollination to fruit development. The seeds produced during this cycle exhibit specific morphological weight characteristics, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.045145 g. Individual seed weights vary within a defined range, with a minimum recorded mass of 0.03416 g and a maximum mass reaching 0.05613 g.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

May

Fruiting time :

May

Seed mass max:

0.05613 g

Seed mass mean:

0.045145 g

Seed mass min:

0.03416 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Allophylus africanus has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Stem

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Preparations

Allophylus africanus has 3 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extract obtained from the leaves, aqueous extracts obtained from the leaves and stem bark, stem bark extract.

Aqueous extract obtained from the leaves

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Aqueous extracts obtained from the leaves and stem bark

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Stem bark extract

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association