manac

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• manac
• manac raintree
• oneflower raintree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Brunfelsia uniflora var. pubescens
• Brunfelsia hopeana var. pubescens
• Brunfelsia mutabilis
• Brunfelsia hopeana
• Franciscea mutabilis
• Franciscea hopeana
• Franciscea uniflora

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 Solanales and the family Solanaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Brunfelsia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several key regions in Africa and the Indian Ocean. Within East Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Its presence also extends into the Western Indian Ocean islands. Specifically, it is documented in the territory of Mauritius. Furthermore, this medicinal species is located on the island of Réunion.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Brunfelsia uniflora is characterized by its preference for specific montane environments, primarily flourishing within the Cerrado habitat. This species occupies a distinct vertical niche in the landscape, maintaining an elevational range that begins at 1500 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2600 m AMSL. Within these high-altitude ecosystems, the plant's distribution is closely tied to the unique soil compositions and climatic patterns inherent to the Cerrado biome.

Elevational range max:

2600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1500 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado

Life history

The life history of Brunfelsia uniflora is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It maintains a consistent vegetative presence as an evergreen species, retaining its foliage year-round rather than shedding leaves seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Brunfelsia uniflora is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a self-supporting shrub. This terrestrial plant reaches an average height of approximately 2.5 m and grows independently, functioning as a non-parasitic organism. It does not exhibit epiphytic tendencies, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence rather than growing on other plants.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

2.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Brunfelsia uniflora is characterized by its complex metabolic processes and specific nutrient acquisition strategies. As a woody evergreen shrub, its physiological framework relies on efficient photosynthetic pathways to support its perennial growth and the production of secondary metabolites, including alkaloids and iridoids, which are central to its medicinal properties. Regarding its relationship with soil nutrients, the plant does not exhibit the physiological mechanisms required for symbiotic nitrogen fixation; therefore, it is not a nitrogen fixer. This lack of nitrogen-fixing capability means that its nitrogen requirements must be met entirely through the uptake of nitrates and ammonium ions from the rhizosphere via its root system. Its metabolic activities are highly dependent on soil moisture and organic matter availability to facilitate the transpiration stream and the translocation of nutrients throughout its vascular tissues.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Brunfelsia uniflora is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms to facilitate the transfer of pollen. This reproductive process is primarily mediated by insect pollination, specifically involving various insect vectors that visit the flowers to collect nectar or pollen. The plant exhibits a specialized interaction with different insect groups, including bees, butterflies, and moths, which serve as the key agents in its pollination cycle. By utilizing these biotic mechanisms rather than abiotic factors like wind or water, the plant ensures a targeted and efficient movement of genetic material between individual flowers, supporting its successful reproductive cycle.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Brunfelsia uniflora has 5 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, flower, fruit, leaf, stem.

Root

1. Lloydia
2. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Flower

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Fruit

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Leaf

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Stem

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Chemicals

Brunfelsia uniflora has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ACETOGENINS, Flavonoids, Lignans.

ACETOGENINS

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Flavonoids

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Lignans

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Activities

Brunfelsia uniflora has 7 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antiinflammatory, Antirheumatic, Antisyphilitic, Emetic.

Analgesic

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Antiinflammatory

1. Lloydia

Antirheumatic

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Antisyphilitic

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Emetic

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Purgative

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Vermifuge

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Conditions

Brunfelsia uniflora has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Leishmania braziliensis, analgesic, emetic, purgative, vermifuge.

Leishmania braziliensis

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Analgesic

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Emetic

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Purgative

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Vermifuge

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Preparations

Brunfelsia uniflora has 5 reported preparations identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 10% infusion (dry plant), 20% (fresh plant), chloroform extract (F), extracts, whole root.

10% infusion (dry plant)

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

20% (fresh plant)

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Chloroform extract (f)

1. Lloydia

Extracts

1. Lloydia

Whole root

1. Lloydia