Clerodendrum rotundifolium

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Distribution

This plant, Clerodendrum rotundifolium, exhibits a specific distribution pattern within the West-Central Tropical Africa region. It is documented to grow within the borders of Burundi, spreading across various tropical landscapes. The species is also found in Cameroon, contributing to the botanical diversity of the area. Furthermore, its presence is confirmed in the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Finally, the plant completes its recorded range in this region by inhabiting the territory of Rwanda.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Clerodendrum rotundifolium is characterized by its growth habit and survival strategies, specifically classified under the life forms of both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on branches that extend well above the ground level, allowing it to dominate its ecological niche through vertical growth. Concurrently, its classification as a nanophanerophyte indicates that while it possesses woody structures, its height is relatively modest compared to larger forest trees, typically maintaining a shrubby stature where the buds are positioned close to the ground level. This combination of life forms allows the species to thrive in various tropical and subtropical environments, utilizing its perennial nature to persist through seasonal changes by protecting its reproductive and vegetative buds above the soil surface.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Clerodendrum rotundifolium is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub that exhibits a facultative climbing habit, allowing it to function as a self-supporting structure or utilize external supports when necessary. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit any parasitic behavior and maintains a terrestrial lifestyle, growing in soil rather than as an epiphyte. The plant's structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, providing a robust framework for its shrubby development.

Climber :

facultative

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Clerodendrum rotundifolium is characterized by complex dispersal mechanisms that facilitate the movement of its seeds across various environments. The primary dispersal syndrome is classified as zoochorous, indicating that the plant relies on animals for the distribution of its progeny. Within this framework, the species exhibits a specific endozoochorous strategy, where seeds are ingested by animals and subsequently dispersed through their digestive tracts. This multifaceted approach to seed movement encompasses a range of potential pathways, including anemochorous, anthropochorous, autochorous, epizoochorous, hydrochorous, myrmecocorous, and unspecialized modes, though the biological focus remains centered on animal-mediated dispersal to ensure successful colonization.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Clerodendrum rotundifolium 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Clerodendrum rotundifolium has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Plasmodium falciparum, malaria.

Plasmodium falciparum

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology