Hymenostegia afzelii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hymenostegia afzelii
• Hymenostegia dinklagei
• Cynometra afzelii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Annea afzelii, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic designation is found within the genus Annea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Annona afzelii, is primarily distributed throughout the West Tropical Africa region. Within this geographical belt, it can be found growing in the country of Benin. Its natural habitat also extends across the borders into Ghana. Furthermore, the species is documented to inhabit the landscapes of Guinea. Finally, its distribution includes the territories of Ivory Coast and Liberia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Annona afzelii is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a growth form where the perennating buds are located well above the ground on woody stems. Within the spectrum of life forms, it specifically aligns with the phanerophyte category, ensuring its survival through various seasonal changes by maintaining its reproductive and vegetative structures on elevated branches. This structural strategy allows the species to persist as a long-lived woody plant, utilizing its elevated canopy to access light and navigate the competitive dynamics of its tropical forest habitat.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Annona afzelii is characterized by its robust growth form, primarily functioning as a woody tree. While some botanical classifications may observe climbing tendencies in certain life stages or species variants—acting as a self-supporting liana or vine that can exhibit both obligatory and facultative climbing behaviors—the plant is fundamentally defined by its woody structure and terrestrial habit. It does not function as an epiphyte, remaining firmly rooted in the ground. The plant exhibits significant vertical development, reaching a maximum height of approximately 18.288 meters.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Plant height max:

18.28822238 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Annona afzelii is characterized primarily by its metabolic efficiency and carbon assimilation strategies, which are governed by a C3 photosynthetic pathway. In this process, the plant utilizes the enzyme RuBisCO to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide directly into three-carbon organic compounds during the Calvin cycle. This C3 mechanism is typical for many tropical woody species, allowing the plant to thrive in humid environments where moisture is relatively available, though it necessitates careful management of stomatal conductance to balance gas exchange with transpiration rates. Beyond carbon fixation, the physiological profile of the plant involves complex nutrient uptake and water regulation processes essential for maintaining cellular turgor and supporting its structural growth in its native ecological niches.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Annona afzelii involves a complex dispersal strategy characterized by an unspecialized dispersal syndrome. Rather than relying on a single mode of movement, the species utilizes a combination of mechanisms including anemochory (wind dispersal), zoochory (animal dispersal), autochory (self-dispersal), and hydrochory (water dispersal). This multi-faceted approach allows the plant to spread its seeds across diverse ecological niches, leveraging wind currents, passing fauna, internal tension within the fruit, and water bodies to ensure the colonization of new territories and the survival of the species in varying environmental conditions.

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Annea afzelii has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include apigenin.

apigenin

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies