Clerodendrum polycephalum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following its subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Clerodendrum, specifically as the species Clerodendrum polycephalum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Clerodendrum polycephalum, exhibits a specific distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented within the borders of Benin, where it grows in local ecosystems. It is also found throughout Burkina, contributing to the biodiversity of the area. Furthermore, the species inhabits significant portions of Ghana and Guinea. Finally, the geographical range extends into the Ivory Coast, marking its spread across these West African nations.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Clerodendrum polycephalum is characterized by its growth habit and structural classification within various ecological niches. This species is primarily categorized as a phanerophyte, as its perennating buds are elevated well above the ground level, allowing it to persist through seasonal changes as a woody plant. In certain environmental contexts or developmental stages, its life form may also be described through the lens of a nanophanerophyte, reflecting a smaller stature where the buds remain relatively close to the soil surface compared to larger woody shrubs. These life forms dictate its ability to occupy forest understories or disturbed habitats, where its perennial nature ensures long-term survival and reproductive potential within its specific ecosystem.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Clerodendrum polycephalum is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub that exhibits an obligatory climbing habit. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite and maintains a terrestrial lifestyle rather than an epiphytic one. The plant is structurally robust, possessing woody tissues that support its development up to a maximum height of approximately 4.57 meters.

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4.572055596 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Clerodendrum polycephalum is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit a highly consistent physical profile. Based on quantitative data, the seeds produced by this species possess a uniform mass with no observed variance, as the seed mass mean, maximum, and minimum values are all recorded at exactly 0.06485 g. This precise measurement of 0.06485 g across all sampled metrics indicates a stabilized reproductive output regarding individual seed weight, which plays a critical role in the plant's dispersal and establishment strategies within its natural habitat.

Seed mass mean:

0.06485 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Clerodendrum polycephalum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include LOLIOLIDE, Methyl pheophorbide a, acacetin.

LOLIOLIDE

1. Journal of natural products

Methyl pheophorbide a

1. Journal of natural products

acacetin

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Clerodendrum polycephalum has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial.

Antimalarial

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Clerodendrum polycephalum has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Plasmodium berghei, Plasmodium falciparum.

Plasmodium berghei

1. Journal of natural products

Plasmodium falciparum

1. Journal of natural products