Bobgunnia madagascariensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is geographically distributed across several countries within the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, its presence has been documented in the nation of Benin. It can also be found growing within the borders of Burkina Faso. Furthermore, the species extends its range into Gambia and Ghana. Finally, its distribution includes the coastal area of Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bobgunnia madagascariensis is characterized by its specific niche within forest ecosystems, where it thrives under the canopy of diverse woodland structures. This species occupies a specialized altitudinal belt, primarily distributed within a mid-elevation range that begins at 850 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum elevation of 1075 m AMSL. By inhabiting these specific forest environments, the plant benefits from the stabilized microclimates and moisture levels typical of these mountainous or hilly tropical forest zones.

Elevational range max:

1075 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

850 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Bobgunnia madagascariensis is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a plant, it adopts a phanerophyte life form, specifically categorized both as a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, meaning its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems or branches. This structural strategy enables the species to maintain its physiological processes and structural integrity over an extended temporal scale within its natural habitat.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bobgunnia madagascariensis is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a tree that can reach significant dimensions. It exhibits a substantial plant height, ranging from a minimum of 0.6 m to a maximum of 12 m. While it possesses the structural capability of a self-supporting climber, it is fundamentally categorized by its terrestrial nature, functioning as an independent organism rather than an obligate parasite or an epiphyte. Its life habit is strictly terrestrial, spanning a spectrum that avoids aquatic or semiaquatic environments.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Plant height min:

0.6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bobgunnia madagascariensis is characterized by its reliance on the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic process wherein carbon dioxide is fixed directly into a three-carbon compound during the initial stage of the Calvin cycle. This pathway involves the enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) facilitating the carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) in the mesophyll cells. Under typical environmental conditions, the plant utilizes this mechanism to convert light energy and atmospheric CO2 into chemical energy, supporting its growth and secondary metabolite production. Unlike plants employing C4 or CAM pathways, its physiological efficiency is highly sensitive to photorespiration rates, particularly when exposed to high temperatures or limited water availability, which influences its overall carbon assimilation strategy and resource management.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bobgunnia madagascariensis is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit specific morphological dimensions and weight variations. The seed mass within the population shows a measurable range, with a minimum recorded weight of 0.06323 g and a maximum weight reaching up to 0.11869 g. On average, the seed mass for this species is 0.09798 g, indicating a relatively consistent seed size profile essential for its dispersal and subsequent germination processes.

Seed mass max:

0.11869 g

Seed mass mean:

0.09798 g

Seed mass min:

0.06323 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Bobgunnia madagascariensis 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 root.

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Bobgunnia madagascariensis has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include bacterial diseases.

Bacterial diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Bobgunnia madagascariensis has 4 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include decoction, dichloromethane extracts of the root, plant extracts, root bark.

Decoction

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Dichloromethane extracts of the root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Plant extracts

1. PloS one

Root bark

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology