Combretum sericeum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Poivrea sericea
• Combretum lineare
• Combretum katangense
• Combretum platypetalum
• Combretum parvulum
• Combretum argyrochryseum
• Combretum herbaceum
• Combretum simulans
• Combretum turbinatum
• Combretum zastrowii

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Myrtales, it is classified under the family Combretaceae. Specifically, it is identified by its genus, Combretum sericeum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Combretum sericeum, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented within the borders of Benin, where it grows in local ecosystems. Furthermore, the species can be found spreading through the landscapes of Burkina. The geographical range also extends into the territories of Ghana and Guinea. Finally, the distribution of this medicinal plant includes the coastal and inland areas of Ivory Coast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Combretum sericeum is defined by its specific niche within geoxylic grasslands characterized by sandy soils. This species thrives within a distinct altitudinal gradient, occupying an elevational range that begins at 915 m AMSL and extends to a maximum height of 1400 m AMSL. Its preference for these sandy, geoxylic environments suggests an adaptation to specific soil drainage patterns and nutrient availability unique to these grassland ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

915 m AMSL

Habitat :

geoxylic grassland (sandy soils)

Life history

The life history of Combretum sericeum is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain a long-term presence in its ecological niche. In terms of its structural development and survival strategy, the plant is classified under the life form of a chamaephyte, a designation that describes its growth habit where the permanent shoots are located close to the soil surface. This specific life form, categorized both as a chamaephyte in its primary morphological classification and its secondary structural grouping, enables the plant to thrive by keeping its vital reproductive and vegetative tissues protected near the ground level, often facilitating resilience against environmental stressors.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Combretum sericeum is characterized by a woody growth form that can be described as both a shrub and a subshrub. This plant is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, rather than aquatic or semiaquatic, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its structural habit, it is a self-supporting plant, lacking the climbing tendencies of a liana or vine. The plant exhibits a modest stature, with a height that ranges from a minimum of 0.15 meters to a maximum of 2 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Combretum sericeum has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antifungal.

Antibacterial

1. BioMed research international

Anticancer

1. BioMed research international

Antifungal

1. BioMed research international

Conditions

Combretum sericeum has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include sprains, wounds.

Sprains

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Wounds

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM