Bridelia ferruginea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Gentilia chevalieri
• Bridelia speciosa var. kourousensis
• Bridelia micrantha var. ferruginea

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malpighiales, it is classified under the family Phyllanthaceae. Specifically, Bridelia ferruginea is categorized within the genus Bridelia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing naturally in the country of Benin. Additionally, the species is present in Burkina and Guinea. Its range also extends through the coastal areas of the Ivory Coast. Finally, the distribution includes the territory of Liberia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Bridelia ferruginea is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. In terms of its growth habit and structural classification, the species functions as a phanerophyte, maintaining its photosynthetic organs on elevated branches above the ground level. Additionally, its developmental architecture can be categorized under the nanophanerophyte life form, reflecting its specific structural height and survival strategies within its native habitat.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

Morphologically, Bridelia ferruginea is characterized as a woody plant that exhibits a growth form ranging from a shrub to a tree. It is a self-supporting species, meaning it does not function as a climber (such as a liana or vine) and is categorized as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant is terrestrial in its habitat, not possessing aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, it reaches a mean height of approximately 9 m, with recorded maximum heights reaching up to 6.096074128 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6.096074128 m

Plant height mean:

9 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bridelia ferruginea is characterized by complex metabolic processes typical of woody shrubs and small trees within the Phyllanthaceae family, focusing heavily on efficient resource acquisition and secondary metabolite production. Its physiological framework includes specialized photosynthetic pathways designed to optimize carbon assimilation under varying light intensities, supporting robust vegetative growth. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium or Frankia, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, meaning it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system. Furthermore, its physiological resilience is bolstered by the synthesis of various bioactive compounds, including tannins and polyphenols, which serve as chemical defenses against herbivory and oxidative stress. The plant also exhibits controlled transpiration rates and osmotic adjustments to maintain turgor pressure and facilitate nutrient transport through its vascular tissues.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bridelia ferruginea is characterized by a fruiting cycle that typically commences in June, though the timing can be variable throughout the year. The plant produces fleshy fruits, which serve as the primary vessel for seed dispersal. The seeds contained within these fruits are relatively uniform in size and mass; they possess a consistent seed volume of 110 mm³, with no recorded variation between the minimum and maximum volume. In terms of weight, the seeds exhibit a highly stable mass, with a mean of 0.053645 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.05327 g to a maximum of 0.05402 g.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruiting time :

Jun

Seed mass max:

0.05402 g

Seed mass mean:

0.053645 g

Seed mass min:

0.05327 g

Seed volume max:

110 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Bridelia ferruginea has 3 reported plant parts identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem, fruit.

Leaf

1. Open research Africa
2. Scientific reports
3. Fitoterapia
4. Die Pharmazie
5. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Stem

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Fitoterapia
4. Pharmaceutical biology
5. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Fruit

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Bridelia ferruginea has 28 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Quercetin 3-O-glucoside, myricetin, 1,3,4,5-Tetracaffeoylquinic acid, 3,3',4',5'-tetra-o-methylmyricetin.

Flavonoids

1. Scientific reports
2. Heliyon

Quercetin 3-O-glucoside

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
2. Heliyon

myricetin

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
2. Heliyon

1,3,4,5-Tetracaffeoylquinic acid

1. Heliyon

3,3',4',5'-tetra-o-methylmyricetin

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

3,5-Dicaffeoylquinic acid

1. Heliyon

3,7,3',4'-tetra-O-methylquercetin

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

3-Methoxyflavone

1. Heliyon

3-O-Methylquercetin

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Cardiac Glycosides

1. Heliyon

Activities

Bridelia ferruginea has 8 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Analgesic, Antimicrobial, Antipyretic, Antiplasmodial.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
2. Pharmacognosy research
3. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Heliyon

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Heliyon

Antimicrobial

1. Pharmacognosy research
2. Heliyon

Antipyretic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Heliyon

Antiplasmodial

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Diuretic

1. Heliyon

Hemolytic

1. Pharmacognosy research

Natriuretic

1. Heliyon

Medicinal Uses

Bridelia ferruginea has 22 reported medicinal uses identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Plasmodium berghei, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations