Chasmanthera dependens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Chasmanthera welwitschii

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. Within the order Ranunculales, it is classified under the family Menispermaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Chasmanthera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the region of West Tropical Africa. Within this geographical area, its presence is specifically documented in the nation of Benin. It can also be found growing within the borders of Burkina Faso. Furthermore, the species is widely recognized in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Finally, its range extends into the territory of Liberia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Chasmanthe dependens is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a member of the phanerophyte group, its life form is defined by its growth habit where the stem or reproductive structures are elevated above the ground level. Specifically, it functions as a phanerophyte, maintaining its vital organs in a manner that distinguishes it from lower-growing life forms like chamaephyte or hemicryptophyte. This perennial growth strategy, combined with its phanerophyte structure, enables the species to establish a stable presence within its ecological niche.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Chasmanthe dependens is characterized by a robust, woody structure that allows it to reach a significant mean plant height of approximately 5 m. Functioning as an obligatory climber, this species adopts a liana growth habit, utilizing external support to ascend. It is a strictly terrestrial plant, lacking any aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies, such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte. Furthermore, the plant is an independent organism, showing no parasitic behavior, and relies on its woody stems to maintain its climbing stature within its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Chasmanthe dependence is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic process of carbon fixation through the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO. This pathway involves the standard Calvin cycle to produce carbohydrates, reflecting its adaptation to specific environmental light and temperature regimes. Furthermore, the plant 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, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium present in the soil substrate to meet its nutritional requirements for growth and development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Chasmanthe dependens is primarily driven by sexual processes involving the transfer of pollen between flowers to ensure genetic diversity. In this species, the mechanism of self-fertilization is notably absent, meaning the plant does not rely on its own pollen to produce seeds. Instead, it utilizes cross-pollination, typically facilitated by specialized pollinators such as birds or insects that visit the tubular flowers. This reliance on external agents for pollen transfer ensures that fertilization occurs through the exchange of genetic material from different individuals, promoting a more robust and adaptable population.

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Chasmanthera dependens has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Fitoterapia

Stem

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

Chemicals

Chasmanthera dependens has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Oxoglaucine.

Oxoglaucine

1. Recent advances in anti-infective drug discovery

Activities

Chasmanthera dependens has 5 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Anticancer, Antifungal, Antiprotozoal, Cytotoxic.

Analgesic

1. Fitoterapia

Anticancer

1. Recent advances in anti-infective drug discovery

Antifungal

1. Recent advances in anti-infective drug discovery

Antiprotozoal

1. Recent advances in anti-infective drug discovery

Cytotoxic

1. Recent advances in anti-infective drug discovery

Conditions

Chasmanthera dependens has 10 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Leishmania major, arthritis, enterovirus, granuloma, immune response.

Leishmania major

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

Arthritis

1. Recent advances in anti-infective drug discovery

Enterovirus

1. Recent advances in anti-infective drug discovery

Granuloma

1. Fitoterapia

Immune response

1. Recent advances in anti-infective drug discovery

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Osteoarthritis

1. Recent advances in anti-infective drug discovery

Poliovirus

1. Recent advances in anti-infective drug discovery

Sprains

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Wounds

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Preparations

Chasmanthera dependens has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanol extract of the dried leaves, stem bark water extract.

Methanol extract of the dried leaves

1. Fitoterapia

Stem bark water extract

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