Callichilia barteri

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hedranthera barteri
• Tabernaemontana barteri

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Callichiilia barteri, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Gentianales and the family Apocynaceae. Finally, it is situated within the genus Callichiilia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found across several regions within the tropical belts of Africa. In West Tropical Africa, its distribution includes the nations of Benin, Nigeria, and Togo. The species also extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it can be located in Cameroon. Furthermore, its presence is recorded within the Congo region. Collectively, these locations highlight a specific geographical range spanning from West to West-Central Africa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Callichiilia barteri is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit and survival strategy, it exhibits a classification as both a nanophanerophyte and a phanerophyte, indicating specific patterns of shoot height and seasonal development relative to its environment.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Callichiilia barterii is characterized by its growth as a woody shrub, exhibiting a self-supporting structure that does not require external climbing support. The plant typically reaches an average height of approximately 1.71 meters. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently in its habitat, functioning as a non-parasitic organism.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1.7072055595 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Callichilia barteri is characterized by specific metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies adapted to its environmental niche. A key aspect of its physiological profile involves its interaction with soil nutrients, particularly regarding its ability to engage in symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria. Based on physiological assessments, this species is not a nitrogen fixer (trait_1: Nitrogen fixer; trait_value: no), meaning it does not possess the specialized root nodules or the enzymatic machinery required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. Consequently, its growth and nitrogen metabolism are entirely dependent on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium ions present in the soil through its root system. This reliance necessitates an efficient translocation system within the xylem to support protein synthesis and cellular development, particularly during periods of rapid vegetative growth.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Callichilia barteri 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 leaf.

Leaf

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

Chemicals

Callichilia barteri has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cardenolides, Flavonoids, Saponins.

Cardenolides

1. Nigerian journal of physiological sciences : official publication of the Physiological Society of Nigeria

Flavonoids

1. Nigerian journal of physiological sciences : official publication of the Physiological Society of Nigeria

Saponins

1. Nigerian journal of physiological sciences : official publication of the Physiological Society of Nigeria