Combretum nigricans

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Myrtales, it falls into the family Combretaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Combretum and the species name nigricans.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Combretum nigricans, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing within the borders of Benin. Additionally, its presence is documented in the nation of Burkina. The species also extends its range into the territory of Gambia. Finally, this medicinal plant is distributed through Ghana and Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Combretum nigricans is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that defines its primary life form. Furthermore, its classification as a phanerophyte underscores its growth strategy of maintaining significant vertical structure, ensuring its survival and long-term development within its ecological niche.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Combretum nigricans is characterized by its robust growth form, primarily functioning as a woody tree. As a self-supporting species, it does not rely on other structures for climbing and maintains an independent existence, functioning as a non-parasitic, terrestrial plant rather than an epiphyte or aquatic organism. The plant exhibits significant vertical development, with its height varying between a minimum of approximately 4.57 meters and a maximum of 12.19 meters, resulting in a mean plant height of 10 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12.19214826 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Plant height min:

4.572055596 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Combretum nigricans is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in its natural habitat. Unlike plants that utilize C4 or CAM pathways to minimize photorespiration, this species relies on the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme Rubisco within the mesophyll cells. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, Combretum nigricans is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, and instead depends on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to satisfy its nitrogen requirements for protein synthesis and growth.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Combretum nigricans is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit notable variability in their physical dimensions. The seed mass within the species shows a specific range of development, with a measured minimum mass of 0.07297 g and a maximum mass reaching up to 0.21032 g. On average, the reproductive output yields a seed mass mean of 0.141645 g, reflecting the biological diversity present in its seed morphology.

Seed mass max:

0.21032 g

Seed mass mean:

0.141645 g

Seed mass min:

0.07297 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Combretum nigricans 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 leaf, root, stem.

Leaf

1. Parasitology international
2. Journal of parasitology research

Root

1. Parasitology international
2. Journal of parasitology research

Stem

1. Parasitology international

Chemicals

Combretum nigricans has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Condensed Tannins, Flavonoids, Saponins.

Condensed Tannins

1. Journal of parasitology research

Flavonoids

1. Journal of parasitology research

Saponins

1. Journal of parasitology research

Activities

Combretum nigricans has 1 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hepatoprotective.

Hepatoprotective

1. Parasitology international

Conditions

Combretum nigricans has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Onchocerciasis.

Onchocerciasis

1. Journal of parasitology research

Preparations

Combretum nigricans has 9 reported preparations identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous leaf extract, aqueous root extract, aqueous stem bark extract, bark aqueous extract, bark extracts.

Aqueous leaf extract

1. Parasitology international

Aqueous root extract

1. Parasitology international

Aqueous stem bark extract

1. Parasitology international

Bark aqueous extract

1. Journal of parasitology research

Bark extracts

1. Journal of parasitology research

Leaf extract

1. Journal of parasitology research

Leaf extracts

1. Journal of parasitology research

Root extract

1. Journal of parasitology research

Root extracts

1. Journal of parasitology research