Astropanax barteri

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Heptapleurum baikiei
• Astropanax baikiei
• Heptapleurum barteri
• Schefflera hierniana
• Heptapleurum dananense
• Schefflera henriquesiana
• Schefflera ledermannii
• Schefflera dananensis
• Schefflera baikiei
• Schefflera barteri
• Sciodaphyllum baikiei
• Sciodaphyllum barteri

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Apiales and the family Araliaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Astropanax and the specific species Astropanax barteri.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to the West Tropical Africa region. Its specific geographical distribution spans several different countries within this area. For instance, it can be found growing in Gambia and Guinea. The species also inhabits the territories of Ivory Coast and Liberia. Finally, its range extends further east into Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Astropanax barteri is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits consistent with both the phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its perennating buds well above the soil surface, allowing it to persist through varying environmental conditions by protecting its reproductive and vegetative potential in elevated woody structures. Within this classification, its growth habit aligns with the nanophanerophyte category, indicating a relatively low-growing woody stature that remains above the ground level. This life strategy enables the species to establish a stable, perennial presence within its ecological niche, utilizing its elevated buds to navigate seasonal shifts in its habitat.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Astropanax barteri is characterized by a woody structure that manifests in various growth forms, primarily appearing as a tree or a shrub. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite, instead maintaining a terrestrial existence that can range from terrestrial to semiaquatic habitats. The plant exhibits climbing tendencies, specifically acting as an obligatory liana. In terms of its epiphytic nature, it is classified as an obligatory epiphyte with a terrestrial base. Physically, the species can reach a maximum plant height of approximately 9.14 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Epiphyte :

obligatory

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

9.144111192 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Astropanax barteri is characterized by a metabolic framework consistent with its classification under the C3 photosynthetic pathway. This means that during carbon fixation, the plant utilizes the enzyme Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) to directly fix atmospheric carbon dioxide into a three-carbon compound, specifically 3-phosphoglycerate. Unlike C4 or CAM plants, which have evolved specialized anatomical or temporal mechanisms to minimize photorespiration, Astropanax barteri relies on the standard C3 cycle, making its physiological efficiency highly dependent on moderate temperatures and sufficient moisture levels to maintain stomatal conductance. The plant's energy assimilation is thus governed by the efficiency of the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells, where the rate of photosynthesis is closely tied to light intensity and the concentration of CO2 relative to O2.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Astropanax barteri has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthocyanins, Saponins.

Anthocyanins

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Saponins

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine