Breonadia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Breonadia
• Transvaal-Teak
• Water Matome
• Wild Oleander
• Wild-Oleander

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Adina spathellifera
• Cephalanthus coriaceus
• Adina galpinii
• Breonadia microcephala
• Adina lasiantha
• Cephalanthus spathellifer
• Adina lasiantha var. parviflora
• Adina microcephala
• Breonadia salicina var. galpinii
• Adina microcephala var. galpinii
• Nauclea verticillata
• Nerium salicinum
• Nauclea microcephala

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Gentianales and is a member of the Rubiaceae family. Specifically, its taxonomic designation is placed within the genus Breonadia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, it can be found growing within the borders of Benin. Its range also extends into the territories of Burkina and Ghana. Furthermore, the species is documented to occur in the Ivory Coast. Finally, its geographical presence includes the nation of Mali.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Breonaidia salicina is defined by its ability to inhabit a diverse range of altitudinal gradients, allowing it to occupy varied ecological niches within its distribution. This species is found across an expansive elevational range, beginning at low-lying areas as low as 20 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum elevation of 1220 m AMSL. This broad vertical distribution suggests a high degree of adaptability to fluctuating environmental conditions, including varying temperature regimes, moisture availability, and atmospheric pressures associated with different montane and lowland habitats. Such an altitudinal breadth enables the plant to persist in multiple distinct microclimates, ranging from humid lowland environments to higher, potentially more temperate or seasonal zones.

Elevational range max:

1220 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

20 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Breonaidia salicina is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a long-term presence within its ecosystem. In terms of its structural growth habit, it is classified as a phanerophyte, a life form defined by having its perennating buds located well above the ground on aerial stems or branches. This phanerophytic nature is further specified under the sub-classification of phanerophyte, ensuring the plant's survival mechanisms are protected within its elevated woody architecture.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Breonadia salicina is characterized by its robust growth form, primarily functioning as a woody tree. It is a terrestrial species that grows independently, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing habits such as vines or lianas. The stature of the plant varies significantly, with a minimum height of approximately 4.57 m, a mean height of 15 m, and a maximum height reaching up to 20 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Plant height min:

4.572055596 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Breonaidia salicina is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation mechanisms. As a C3 plant, it utilizes the Calvin cycle directly for carbon assimilation, typically performing most efficiently under temperate or moist environmental conditions where photorespiration rates are managed. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to meet its nutritional requirements for growth and development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Breonadia salicina has 3 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, stem.

Leaf

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Genetics and molecular research : GMR

Root

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Stem

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Breonadia salicina has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5-O-Caffeoylquinic acid, CATECHIN, D-Galactopyranose, Flavonoids, HEXADECANE.

5-O-Caffeoylquinic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

CATECHIN

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

D-Galactopyranose

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

HEXADECANE

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Hydroxycinnamic Acids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Lupeol

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

caffeic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

ellagic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

fructose

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Breonadia salicina has 10 reported investigations on conditions identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Aspergillus niger, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella sonnei.

Aspergillus niger

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Bacillus subtilis

1. Genetics and molecular research : GMR

Escherichia coli

1. Genetics and molecular research : GMR

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

1. Genetics and molecular research : GMR

Shigella sonnei

1. Genetics and molecular research : GMR

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Genetics and molecular research : GMR

Cancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Diarrhea

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Fevers

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Malaria

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Breonadia salicina has 4 reported preparations identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Leaf extracts, aqueous crude extract, leaf extract, methanolic leaf extract.

Leaf extracts

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Aqueous crude extract

1. Genetics and molecular research : GMR

Leaf extract

1. Genetics and molecular research : GMR

Methanolic leaf extract

1. Genetics and molecular research : GMR