Cleistopholis glauca

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cleistopholis bequaertii
• Cleistopholis grandiflora

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. Moving down the taxonomic hierarchy, it is situated in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Magnoliales. Finally, it is a member of the family Annonaceae and is identified by the genus Cleistopholis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the West-Central Tropical Africa region. Specifically, its presence has been documented in the country of Cameroon. It can also be found growing within the borders of the Central African Republic. Furthermore, the species is located in Gabon and the Republic of the Congo. Finally, its geographical range extends into the territory of Cabinda.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cleistopholis glauca is characterized by its specialized preference for highly moisture-rich environments, specifically thriving in very humid and riverine forest ecosystems. These habitats provide the constant high humidity and stable moisture levels necessary for its survival, often situated along the margins of watercourses where the soil remains consistently damp. By occupying these riparian zones, the plant benefits from the unique microclimate created by the proximity to flowing water and the dense, moisture-trapping canopy typical of riverine forest structures.

Habitat :

in very humid and riverine forest

Life history

The life history of Cleistopholis glauca is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived species, it undergoes a continuous cycle of vegetative growth and seasonal development, rather than completing its biological processes within a single year or two. This perennial nature enables the plant to establish a robust presence within its habitat, accumulating resources over time to support reproductive efforts across different years. Through this extended lifespan, the plant maintains its ecological niche, contributing to the stability and complexity of its specific biological community.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cleistopholis glauca is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, which can reach a substantial mean plant height of 25 m. This species is a terrestrial plant, functioning as an independent organism rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its structural habit, it is classified as a self-supporting plant, rather than being an obligatory or facultative climber, liana, or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cleistopholis glauca is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide during the light-independent reactions. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, lacking the specialized root nodules or biological mechanisms required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms through symbiotic bacteria.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cleistopholis glauca 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 stem.

Stem

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Cleistopholis glauca has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cleistopholine, dihydroquercetin, quercetin.

Cleistopholine

1. Journal of natural products

dihydroquercetin

1. Journal of natural products

quercetin

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Cleistopholis glauca has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include stem bark.

Stem bark

1. Journal of natural products