Cochlospermum tinctorium

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Maximilianea tinctoria
• Maximilianea nilotica
• Cochlospermum niloticum

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Malvales and the family Bixaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Cochlospermum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several countries in West Tropical Africa. Its range includes the nation of Benin, where it can be found growing in specific ecological zones. It is also documented to occur within the borders of Burkina. Additionally, the species inhabits parts of the Gambia and Ghana. Finally, its geographical presence extends into the coastal regions of Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cochlospermum tinctorium is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural life form, it is classified as a chamaephyte, a designation that pertains to its growth habit and the positioning of its buds relative to the soil surface.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cochlospermum tinctorium is characterized by a woody growth form that functions as a self-supporting plant, rather than a liana or vine. It presents as a herb with a mean plant height of approximately 0.8 m. The species is terrestrial in nature, existing as an independent organism that is neither aquatic nor semiaquatic, and it does not function as an epiphyte or a parasite.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cochlospermum tinctorium is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in response to environmental light and temperature. As a non-nitrogen-fixing species, the plant lacks the specialized symbiotic relationships or endogenous mechanisms required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, meaning it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to meet its nutritional requirements for amino acid and protein synthesis. This metabolic profile influences its growth patterns and resource allocation strategies within its specific ecological niche.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cochlospermum tinctorium is characterized by specific seed morphological traits and distinct dispersal mechanisms. The seeds produced by this species exhibit a highly uniform mass, with a measured mean, maximum, and minimum seed mass all recorded at 0.02433 g. Regarding the movement of its progeny, the plant utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning that the seeds are primarily dispersed by the action of the wind to colonize new environments.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Seed mass mean:

0.02433 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cochlospermum tinctorium has 3 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome, root, leaf.

Rhizome

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of natural products

Root

1. Journal of natural products
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaf

1. Planta medica

Chemicals

Cochlospermum tinctorium has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1-hydroxytetradecan-3-one, Alphitolic acid, Arjunolic acid, Carotenoids, Cochloxanthin.

1-hydroxytetradecan-3-one

1. Journal of natural products

Alphitolic acid

1. Journal of natural products

Arjunolic acid

1. Journal of natural products

Carotenoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cochloxanthin

1. Journal of natural products

Dihydrocochloxanthin

1. Journal of natural products

Ellagitannins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gallic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gallotannins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Cochlospermum tinctorium has 4 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antihepatotoxic, Antiplasmodial, Hepatoprotective.

Analgesic

1. Journal of young pharmacists : JYP

Antihepatotoxic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiplasmodial

1. Journal of natural products

Hepatoprotective

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Cochlospermum tinctorium has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, hepatitis, jaundice, lipid peroxidation.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations