Category:Baphia nitida

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Camwood
• African-sandalwood
• barwood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Baphia pyrifolia
• Dalhousiea pyrifolia
• Carpolobia versicolor
• Dalhousiea haematoxylon
• Podalyria haematoxylon
• Baphia haematoxylon
• Baphia nitida var. pubescens
• Delaria pyrifolia
• Baphia barombiensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Baphia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Baphia nitida, is found across several specific regions within West Tropical Africa. Its geographical range includes the nation of Benin, where it grows in various local habitats. It is also distributed throughout Ghana, contributing to the biodiversity of that coastal area. Additionally, the species can be located within the borders of Guinea. Finally, its presence extends to the West African countries of Ivory Coast and Liberia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Baphia nitida is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its primary photosynthetic organs well above the ground, a growth form that supports its development into a robust woody structure. This phanerophyte classification is consistent across its life stages, ensuring that its meristematic tissues are protected, which facilitates its long-term survival and continuous presence within its natural habitat.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Baphia nitida is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, reaching an average height of approximately 10 m, with recorded maximum heights of about 9.14 m. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, exhibiting no parasitic behavior. While it possesses a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a liana or vine, it maintains a robust, woody constitution. The species is strictly terrestrial in its ecological habit, showing no aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

9.144111192 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Baphia nitida is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production under typical environmental conditions. In addition to its metabolic framework for carbon assimilation, the plant functions as a nitrogen fixer, indicating a physiological capacity for symbiotic nitrogen fixation that enhances its nutrient uptake and growth efficiency within its ecosystem.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Baphia nitida has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Phytochemistry
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Baphia nitida has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2R,5R-dihydroxymethyl-3R,4R-dihydroxypyrrolidine, Flavonoids, Tannins, iminosugars.

2R,5R-dihydroxymethyl-3R,4R-dihydroxypyrrolidine

1. Phytochemistry

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Tannins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

iminosugars

1. Phytochemistry

Medicinal Uses

Baphia nitida has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include hypertension.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations