Hairy corkwood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Hairy Corkwood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Heudelotia africana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Sapindales. Finally, it resides in the family Burseraceae and is identified by the genus Commiphora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, it can be found growing within the borders of Benin. Its natural range also extends into the territory of Burkina. Furthermore, the species is documented in the Gambia and Ghana. Finally, its geographical presence includes the Ivory Coast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Commiphora africana is characterized by its adaptation to specific altitudinal and environmental conditions within its native range. This species thrives within dry, open Acacia-Commiphora woodland habitats, where it exists in a specialized ecological niche defined by semi-arid vegetation structures. Its distribution across varying landscapes is constrained by a specific elevational range, occurring from a minimum altitude of 90 m AMSL up to a maximum elevation of 1310 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1310 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

90 m AMSL

Habitat :

dry open Acacia-Commiphora woodland

Life history

The life history of Commiphora africana is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its primary photosynthetic organs are elevated above the ground, a growth form that facilitates its survival in specific ecological niches. The plant exhibits a deciduous habit, shedding its leaves periodically, which is a common adaptive strategy for managing moisture and resource allocation throughout its life cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Commiphora africana is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree. As a terrestrial and independent species, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. The plant exhibits significant variability in its stature, with height measurements ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 6.5 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 5.33 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6.5 m

Plant height mean:

5.33333333333333 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Commiphora africana is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutrient-acquisition strategies adapted to arid environments. The plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a method of carbon fixation that involves the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO, which is typical for many woody species in its genus. Regarding its nutritional profile and symbiotic relationships, Commiphora africana is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic mechanisms, such as those found in legumes, to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms and must instead rely on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds present in the soil.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Commiphora africana is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by insect vectors to facilitate fertilization. This reliance on biotic agents ensures the transfer of pollen through animal interactions rather than abiotic forces like wind or water. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds with significant morphological variation in size. The seed mass ranges from a minimum of 0.02325 g to a maximum of 0.10915 g, with an average seed mass calculated at 0.0662 g. This distribution in seed mass reflects the energetic investment and physical diversity present within the species' reproductive output.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.10915 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0662 g

Seed mass min:

0.02325 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Leaf

1. Fitoterapia

Root

1. Fitoterapia

Stem

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Commiphora africana has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzoic acid, Flavonoids, Glycosides, Pinostilbene, Saponins.

3-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzoic acid

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Flavonoids

1. Malaria journal

Glycosides

1. Malaria journal

Pinostilbene

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Saponins

1. Malaria journal

Steroids

1. Malaria journal

Tannins

1. Malaria journal

triterpenoids

1. Malaria journal

Conditions

Commiphora africana has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, earthworm, malaria.

Cancer

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Earthworm

1. Fitoterapia

Malaria

1. Malaria journal

Preparations

Commiphora africana has 4 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Aqueous extracts of the leaf, Aqueous extracts of the root bark, Aqueous extracts of the stem bark, crude CH(2)Cl(2)-MeOH extract.

Aqueous extracts of the leaf

1. Fitoterapia

Aqueous extracts of the root bark

1. Fitoterapia

Aqueous extracts of the stem bark

1. Fitoterapia

Crude ch(2)cl(2)-meoh extract

1. Journal of natural products