Winged Bersama

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Winged Bersama

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Bersama abyssinica, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Geraniales and the family Francoaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by its specific genus, Bersama.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Bersama abyssinicca, exhibits a specific range within the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence has been documented across several distinct nations throughout this part of the continent. Specifically, it can be found growing in the territories of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. The species also extends its distribution into the coastal and inland areas of Guinea and Ivory Coast. Finally, the geographical reach of this medicinal plant includes the country of Liberia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bersama abyssinicica is characterized by its presence in diverse African landscapes, primarily thriving within the moist environments of rainforests and across grasslands interspersed with trees. This distribution suggests a high degree of adaptability to varying levels of canopy cover and moisture availability, allowing it to occupy niches ranging from dense, shaded forest interiors to more open, woody savannah-like ecosystems. By inhabiting these transitional zones between closed forests and open grasslands, the species benefits from the complex structural diversity of its environment, utilizing the shelter of trees in grassland settings while exploiting the nutrient-rich, high-humidity conditions typical of tropical rainforest habitats.

Habitat :

rainforest and grassland with trees

Life history

The life history of Bersama abyssinicica is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs well above the ground level, specifically categorized under the life forms of phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte depending on its developmental stage and habitat. This species exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year, providing continuous vegetative cover and photosynthetic activity.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bersama abyssinica is characterized by its robust growth form, primarily manifesting as a woody tree. As a terrestrial organism, it functions as an independent species rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant exhibits significant vertical development, with a height range spanning from a minimum of 3 meters to a maximum of approximately 15.24 meters, resulting in a mean plant height of about 8.48 meters. In terms of its structural habit, it is classified as a self-supporting plant, meaning it does not require external climbing structures such as lianas or vines to maintain its upright posture.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15.24018532 m

Plant height mean:

8.4794765505 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bersama abyssinica is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutritional strategies, most notably through its photosynthetic pathway which follows the C3 mechanism. This process involves the initial fixation of carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells, a common trait among many woody tropical species that facilitates growth in diverse forest environments. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition processes, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form; instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bersama abyssinicat is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily involving insects, with bees playing a significant role in the fertilization process. The plant produces fruits classified under the "other" morphological category, which maintain an average length of 1.1 cm and an average width of 0.8 cm. Following fertilization, the dispersal of the species is governed by an autochorous syndrome, meaning the plant utilizes self-dispersal mechanisms to distribute its offspring. The seeds produced are relatively substantial, with a mean mass of approximately 0.4603 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.274 g to a maximum of 0.833 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Fruit length mean:

1.1 cm

Fruit type :

other

Fruit width mean:

0.8 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.833 g

Seed mass mean:

0.460333333 g

Seed mass min:

0.274 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Bersama abyssinica has 1 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.

Leaf

1. International journal of environmental health research
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
3. Cardiovascular & hematological agents in medicinal chemistry

Chemicals

Bersama abyssinica has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include D-Limonene, Eucalyptol, Flavonoids, Glycosides, O-CYMENE.

D-Limonene

1. Scientific reports

Eucalyptol

1. Scientific reports

Flavonoids

1. Scientific reports

Glycosides

1. Scientific reports

O-CYMENE

1. Scientific reports

Phenols

1. Scientific reports

Saponins

1. Scientific reports

Steroids

1. Scientific reports

Tannins

1. Scientific reports

Terpenoids

1. Scientific reports

Activities

Bersama abyssinica has 7 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antifungal, Antihyperglycemic.

Antioxidant

1. International journal of environmental health research
2. Scientific reports

Antibacterial

1. Scientific reports

Antidiabetic

1. Cardiovascular & hematological agents in medicinal chemistry

Antifungal

1. Scientific reports

Antihyperglycemic

1. Cardiovascular & hematological agents in medicinal chemistry

Antihyperlipidemic

1. Cardiovascular & hematological agents in medicinal chemistry

Antimicrobial

1. Scientific reports

Medicinal Uses

Bersama abyssinica has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Diabetes mellitus, diabetes mellitus, diarrhea.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations