Chrozophora oblongifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Croton oblongifolius

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales, it is further categorized under the family Euphorbiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Chrozophora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed throughout the Northeast Tropical Africa region. Its natural range encompasses several specific countries, including Ethiopia and Eritrea. It can also be found across the coastal areas of Somalia and Djibouti. Additionally, its presence extends to the unique island territory of Socotra. These locations define the specific geographical boundaries where the species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Chrozophora oblongifolia is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit and survival strategy, the plant is identified as a chamaephyte, meaning its regenerative buds are located near or just above the soil surface, which helps it navigate its specific environmental niche. This life form, categorized under both the chamaephyte and chamamephyte designations, dictates its ability to endure varying seasonal conditions while maintaining its vegetative presence over a long-term cycle.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Chrozophora oblongifolia is characterized by its versatile growth habit and structural adaptability. It functions primarily as a subshrub or herb, displaying a variable degree of woodiness throughout its development. The plant is non-parasitic, existing as an independent organism, and is strictly terrestrial rather than acting as an epiphyte. While its habitat can encompass diverse conditions, it is categorized across an ecological spectrum of aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial environments. Additionally, it possesses climbing capabilities, though it is classified as a self-supporting climber rather than an obligatory or facultative one.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

variable

Reproduction

The reproduction of Chrozophora oblongifolia is characterized by a flexible flowering phenology and highly consistent seed characteristics. The flowering period is quite extensive and variable, beginning as early as December and potentially spanning the entire year, though it typically concludes around May. During its reproductive cycle, the plant produces seeds with a remarkably uniform mass; the seed mass is consistently measured at 0.01825 g, with no variation observed between the minimum, maximum, and mean values.

Flowering time :

Dec

Flowering time :

May

Seed mass mean:

0.01825 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Leaf

1. Die Naturwissenschaften

Root

1. Natural product research

Stem

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Chrozophora oblongifolia has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,3,6-Trigalloyl glucose, RICININE, RUTIN.

1,3,6-Trigalloyl glucose

1. Biology

RICININE

1. Natural product research

RUTIN

1. Biology

Activities

Chrozophora oblongifolia has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiplasmodial.

Antimicrobial

1. Die Naturwissenschaften

Antioxidant

1. Biology

Antiplasmodial

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Conditions

Chrozophora oblongifolia has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Gram-positive bacteria, Plasmodium falciparum, Staphylococcus aureus.

Candida albicans

1. Die Naturwissenschaften

Escherichia coli

1. Die Naturwissenschaften

Gram-positive bacteria

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Plasmodium falciparum

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Die Naturwissenschaften

Dengue

1. Die Naturwissenschaften

Preparations

Chrozophora oblongifolia has 6 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 50% ethanol-water crude extracts, Aerial Parts, extracts with methanol, methanolic and acetone leaf extracts, methylene chloride fraction of the root bark.

50% ethanol-water crude extracts

1. Chinese medicine

Aerial parts

1. Biology

Extracts with methanol

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Methanolic and acetone leaf extracts

1. Die Naturwissenschaften

Methylene chloride fraction of the root bark

1. Natural product research

Stem bark

1. Journal of natural products