Cochlospermum angolense

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is found within specific regions of the African continent. Its geographical range is primarily concentrated in West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Additionally, the species extends into South Tropical Africa. Within this southern region, its presence is noted in the country of Angola. Consequently, its natural habitat is limited to these particular tropical zones.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cochlospermum angolense is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and ecological positioning, it is classified as a phanerophyte, as its reproductive buds are borne on elevated woody stems above the ground level. While its developmental strategies may occasionally exhibit variations in growth patterns, its fundamental life form remains that of a large woody plant, distinguishing it from smaller growth forms such as nanophanerophytes, chamaephytes, or hemicryptophytes.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cochlospermum angolense is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, typically reaching a mean plant height of approximately 4 m. As a self-supporting organism, it does not exhibit climbing behavior and functions as an independent species rather than a parasite. Furthermore, it is a terrestrial plant, establishing its growth habit directly within the soil rather than as an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cochlospermum angolense is characterized by a robust metabolic framework adapted to seasonally dry environments, where efficient water management and nutrient cycling are critical for survival. While the plant exhibits significant growth potential and high photosynthetic capacity to support its rapid flowering and fruiting cycles, it is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its nitrogen acquisition is entirely dependent on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its extensive root system. The plant's physiological processes are highly responsive to moisture availability, often entering periods of metabolic deceleration during intense drought to conserve resources, followed by rapid physiological activation during the onset of the rainy season to facilitate vigorous vegetative growth and reproduction.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cochlospermum angolense 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 root.

Root

1. Angewandte Parasitologie

Conditions

Cochlospermum angolense has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Plasmodium berghei, icterus, malaria.

Plasmodium berghei

1. Angewandte Parasitologie

Icterus

1. Acta tropica

Malaria

1. Acta tropica

Preparations

Cochlospermum angolense has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include root extract.

Root extract

1. Angewandte Parasitologie