Anchomanes difformis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Caladium petiolatum
• Pythonium hookeri
• Cyrtosperma congoensis
• Sauromatum ferox
• Anchomanes difformis var. welwitschii
• Anchomanes difformis var. pallidus
• Anchomanes dubius
• Anchomanes difformis var. hookeri
• Anchomanes obtusus
• Anchomanes petiolatus
• Anchomanes welwitschii
• Anchomanes hookeri
• Anchomanes hookeri var. pallidus
• Amorphophallus difformis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Anchomanes difformis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Alismatales. Finally, it is a member of the family Araceae and is categorized under the genus Anchomanes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Anchomanes difformis, is primarily found across the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented within the borders of Benin, where it grows in specific local habitats. The species also extends its range into Burkina, contributing to the regional biodiversity of the area. Furthermore, it can be located within the territories of both Gambia and Ghana. Finally, the geographical distribution of this medicinal plant includes the coastal and inland areas of Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Anchomanes difformis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a cryptophyte, utilizing specialized survival strategies to protect its vital organs during unfavorable conditions. More specifically, its biological structure is classified as a geophyte, meaning it relies on underground storage organs to endure periods of dormancy and ensure long-term survival within its habitat.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Anchomanes difformis is characterized by a growth form classified as a herb, appearing as a non-woody plant. It typically reaches a plant height with a mean of approximately 2 m. In terms of its habit, the plant is terrestrial rather than aquatic or epiphytic, functioning as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. Although it exhibits a climbing tendency, it is specifically categorized as self-supporting rather than acting as an obligatory or facultative liana or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Anchomanes difformis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its environmental niche. Unlike plants utilizing C4 or CAM mechanisms, this species relies on the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and instead must rely on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds directly from the soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Anchomanes difformis is characterized by its seed production, which exhibits a highly consistent physical profile across observed samples. The seeds produced by this species demonstrate a uniform mass, with a measured mean seed mass of 0.37976 g. This consistency is reflected in the statistical range, as both the maximum and minimum recorded seed masses are identical at 0.37976 g, indicating a lack of variability in seed weight within the studied parameters.

Seed mass mean:

0.37976 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Anchomanes difformis has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, rhizome.

Leaf

1. Scientific reports
2. Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy

Rhizome

1. Scientific reports

Chemicals

Anchomanes difformis has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CAT, Coumarins, ERGOSTEROL, Flavonoid, Flavonoids.

CAT

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Coumarins

1. Scientific reports

ERGOSTEROL

1. Chinese herbal medicines

Flavonoid

1. Scientific reports

Flavonoids

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

MDA

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

SOD

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Saponins

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Tannins

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Xylopic acid

1. Chinese herbal medicines

Activities

Anchomanes difformis has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Diuretic, Free-Radical Scavenging.

Antibacterial

1. Scientific reports

Diuretic

1. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine

Free-Radical Scavenging

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Conditions

Anchomanes difformis has 8 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include diabetes mellitus, Type 2 diabetes, diuretic, fibrosis, hyperglycemia.

Diabetes mellitus

1. Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy
2. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Type 2 diabetes

1. Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy

Diuretic

1. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine

Fibrosis

1. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine

Hyperglycemia

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Inflammation

1. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine

Male infertility

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Oxidative stress

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Preparations

Anchomanes difformis has 6 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Aqueous extract, aqueous extract, bulb extract, crude extract, leaf bark extract.

Aqueous extract

1. Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy

Aqueous extract

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Bulb extract

1. Scientific reports

Crude extract

1. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine

Leaf bark extract

1. Scientific reports

Leaf extract

1. Scientific reports