alstonia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• alstonia
• cheesewood
• patternwood
• stoolwood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Alstonia congensis var. glabrata
• Alstonia gilletii

Regional and Traditional Names

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 Gentianales, it is classified under the family Apocynaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Alstona.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing naturally in the country of Benin. The species also extends its range into Burkina Faso. Furthermore, its presence is documented throughout Guinea-Bissau and Guinea. Finally, the distribution includes the nation of Liberia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Alstonia congensis is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecosystem. It functions as a phanerophyte, a life form defined by having its perennially produced buds located high above the ground on woody stems. This growth habit is consistent across its structural development, as it maintains its classification as a phanerophyte through its robust, tree-like architecture. Furthermore, the species exhibits evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally, allowing for continuous photosynthetic activity.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Alstonia congensis is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, which typically reaches a mean height of 20 m and can attain a maximum height of up to 25 m. As a terrestrial plant, it does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, nor does it function as a parasite, maintaining an independent life cycle. Although it possesses a sturdy structure, it is categorized as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber, liana, or vine, relying on its own woody stem for vertical development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

25 m

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Alstonia congenis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle for carbon fixation, which is typical for many woody tropical species. Regarding its nutrient acquisition processes, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, relying instead on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Alstonia congenita is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering pattern that dictates its reproductive cycle. The flowering process is concentrated within a narrow window, with the flowering start occurring in May. This period of floral development concludes within the same month, as the flowering end is also recorded in May. Consequently, the plant exhibits a very brief and localized reproductive phenology, focusing its energy on flower production during this specific time of the year.

Flowering time :

May

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Alstonia congensis has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 6,7-seco-angustilobine B, Boonein, Echitamine.

6,7-seco-angustilobine B

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Boonein

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Echitamine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Alstonia congensis has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include malaria.

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology