African Celtis

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• African Celtis
• Ohia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Celtis stuhlmannii
• Celtis soyauxii
• Celtis affinis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Rosales and is a member of the family Cannabaeaceae. Its taxonomic identification is completed by its placement within the genus Celtis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to the lush landscapes of West Tropical Africa. Its geographical presence is notably documented across several distinct countries in this region. Specifically, it can be found growing within the borders of Benin and Guinea. The species also thrives in the tropical environments of Ivory Coast and Liberia. Furthermore, its distribution extends into the diverse ecosystems of Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Celtis zenkeri is fundamentally defined by its preference for tropical rainforest environments, specifically occurring in areas situated at elevations above 250 m. Within these moist, high-canopy ecosystems, the species plays a role in the complex structural layers of the forest, thriving in the high-humidity and shaded conditions characteristic of mid-to-high altitude tropical biomes. Its distribution is closely tied to the availability of consistent precipitation and the specific soil compositions found in these elevated rainforest zones, which support its growth and integration into the broader forest community.

Habitat :

rainforest (above 250 m)

Life history

The life history of Celtis zenkeri is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment over many growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. Throughout its lifespan, the plant exhibits a deciduous growth habit, meaning it undergoes a seasonal process of shedding its leaves before entering a period of dormancy. This cyclical pattern of leaf senescence and regrowth is a fundamental aspect of its survival strategy and physiological rhythm within its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Celtis zenkeri is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree. It is a self-supporting, terrestrial organism that functions independently rather than as a parasite or epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant is quite substantial, reaching an average height of approximately 30 m, with recorded maximum heights extending to roughly 27.43 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

27.43233358 m

Plant height mean:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Celtis zenkeri is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutritional processes, most notably its reliance on the C3 photosynthetic pathway for carbon fixation. This pathway involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme Rubisco within the mesophyll cells, which is typical for many woody species in its taxonomic group. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (such as rhizobia) required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable biological form; instead, it must rely on the uptake of available nitrates or ammonium from the soil through its root system to satisfy its nitrogen requirements for growth and protein synthesis.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Celtis zenkeri has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include trans-n-coumaroyltyramine.

trans-n-coumaroyltyramine

1. Natural product research