alstonia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• alstonia
• cheesewood
• patternwood
• stoolwood
• Boone Alstonia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

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 within the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianaales, specifically residing in the family Apocynaceae. Its taxonomic identity is completed by its classification within the genus Alstona.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Alstonia boonei, exhibits a specific distribution pattern throughout the West Tropical African region. Its presence is documented across several coastal and inland nations within this diverse ecological zone. Specifically, the species can be found growing in the territories of Benin and Gambia. Furthermore, its geographical range extends into the countries of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. The distribution is completed by its documented occurrence within the nation of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Alstonia boonei is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated woody stems, a life form that allows it to compete effectively for sunlight in forested environments. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, undergoing seasonal leaf shedding which plays a crucial role in its physiological adaptation to environmental cycles.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Alstonia boonei is characterized by its robust growth form, specifically classified as a tree. This woody species exhibits significant vertical development, with a plant height that ranges from a minimum of approximately 9.14 meters to a maximum of 36.58 meters, maintaining an average height of around 30 meters. As a terrestrial organism, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, functioning as an independent plant rather than a parasite. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is self-supporting and does not function as a liana or vine, maintaining a sturdy, woody stature throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

36.57644477 m

Plant height mean:

30 m

Plant height min:

9.144111192 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Alstonia boonii is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO, a process typical of many woody dicotyledonous plants found in tropical environments. In terms of nutrient acquisition and symbiotic relationships, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, lacking the specialized root nodules or symbiotic associations with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Alstonia boonii is characterized by a highly flexible phenology and complex biological interactions. The flowering period is highly variable, with the potential to bloom across all months of the year, from January through December. This reproductive cycle relies on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically involving insects. Within this biotic framework, bees play a significant role in the pollination process, facilitating the transfer of pollen between flowers. Once fertilization is successful and seeds are developed, the plant utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning the seeds are primarily dispersed by the action of the wind to colonize new areas.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

variable

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Alstonia boonei has 3 reported plant parts identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem, leaf, root.

Stem

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. African health sciences
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology
5. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. African journal of medicine and medical sciences
3. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Alstonia boonei has 23 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Boonein, Saponins, 10-Hydroxyyohimbine, 15-hydroxyangustilobine A, CHLOROGENIC ACID.

Boonein

1. ISRN pharmacology
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Saponins

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

10-Hydroxyyohimbine

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

15-hydroxyangustilobine A

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

ETHYL ACETATE

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Echitamidine

1. ISRN pharmacology

Estradiol-17-phenylpropionate

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Flavonoids

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Glycosides

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Activities

Alstonia boonei has 14 reported activities identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antimalarial, Antipyretic, Analgesic.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of medicinal food
2. Current topics in medicinal chemistry
3. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antibacterial

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry
2. PloS one

Antimalarial

1. ISRN pharmacology
2. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Antipyretic

1. ISRN pharmacology
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiarthritic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anticancer

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Antidiabetic

1. ISRN pharmacology

Antiinflammatory

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimicrobial

1. ISRN pharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Alstonia boonei has 29 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, cancer, hypertension, inflammation, rheumatism.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations