moabi

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• African Pearwood
• Djave Nut
• Moabi

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Baillonella toxisperma var. obovata
• Baillonella djave
• Baillonella pierriana
• Mimusops djave
• Mimusops pierreana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Ericales and the family Sapotaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in the genus Baillonella.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in Nigeria. Moving into the West-Central Tropical Africa region, it can be found in the Central African Republic and Cameroon. Its range also extends to the nation of Congo within this same central belt. Additionally, the species is recorded in the territory of Cabinda.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Baillonella toxisperma is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the individual to persist across multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive shoots are elevated well above the ground, a growth habit that defines its structural presence in its ecosystem. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal biological rhythm. Based on its morphological classifications, it is categorized both as a phanerophyte and specifically as a phanerophyte in terms of its primary life form, ensuring its survival through long-term establishment in its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Baillonella toxisperma is characterized by its robust growth form, functioning as a large, woody tree that is entirely independent and does not exhibit parasitic behavior. This terrestrial species is capable of reaching significant dimensions, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 50 m to a maximum of 60 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 50 m. Unlike climbing vines or lianas, it is a self-supporting structure that does not require external support to maintain its vertical stature.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

60 m

Plant height mean:

50 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bailloneella toxisperma is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO. As a plant that does not possess specialized symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria for atmospheric nitrogen conversion, it is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium from the soil to meet its nutritional requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Baillonella toxisperma has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Metabolism open

Chemicals

Baillonella toxisperma has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Epicatechin, Epigallocatechin, Epigallocatechin gallate, resveratrol.

Epicatechin

1. Metabolites

Epigallocatechin

1. Metabolites

Epigallocatechin gallate

1. Metabolites

resveratrol

1. Metabolites

Activities

Baillonella toxisperma has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihyperglycemic, Antihyperlipidemic.

Antihyperglycemic

1. Metabolism open

Antihyperlipidemic

1. Metabolism open

Medicinal Uses

Baillonella toxisperma has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, cardiovascular risk.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations