Copper-stem corkwood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Copper-stem Corkwood
• Copper Corkwood
• Copper-Stemmed Corkwood
• Copperstem Corkwood
• Cork Tree
• Redstem Corkwood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Balsamea harveyi
• Protium africanum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Commiphora harveyi, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Sapindales. Finally, it is a member of the family Burseraceae and is placed within the genus Commiphora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is naturally distributed across several key regions within Southern Africa. Specifically, its range includes the Cape Provinces, where it adapts to various local environments. It can also be found growing in the coastal and inland areas of KwaZulu-Natal. Furthermore, the species extends its presence into the territory of Eswatini. Finally, its geographical reach encompasses the Northern Provinces of the region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Commiphora harveyi is defined by its capacity to thrive across a diverse altitudinal gradient, spanning from low-lying areas at an elevation of 5 m AMSL to higher-altitude terrains reaching a maximum of 1280 m AMSL. This broad elevational range suggests an adaptability to varying topographical conditions and microclimates within its natural habitat. By occupying such a wide vertical distribution, the species can inhabit a variety of ecological niches, likely ranging from arid lowland shrublands to more temperate montane environments, depending on the specific moisture and temperature regimes present at different altitudes.

Elevational range max:

1280 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

5 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Commiphora harveyi is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years. As a long-lived woody plant, it undergoes a developmental trajectory that extends far beyond the single growing seasons typical of annuals or biennials. Throughout its life cycle, the plant focuses on the slow accumulation of biomass and the establishment of a robust structure capable of enduring fluctuating environmental conditions. This perennial nature enables the plant to invest significant energy into its survival mechanisms, such as the production of resin, ensuring its longevity and continued reproductive potential across multiple years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Commiphora harveyi is characterized by a woody growth form that typically manifests as either a tree or a shrub. As a terrestrial plant, it is an independent organism and does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting rather than a climber, maintaining its structure through a sturdy, woody framework. In terms of stature, it reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 20 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Commiphora harveyi is characterized by a metabolic framework defined by its photosynthetic pathway, which utilizes the C3 pathway to facilitate carbon fixation. As a member of the Burseraceae family, the plant employs this standard mechanism where atmospheric carbon dioxide is initially fixed into a three-carbon compound during the Calvin cycle. This metabolic strategy influences its water-use efficiency and gas exchange patterns, as the plant must balance the intake of CO2 with the transpiration of water through its stomata. This physiological foundation supports its growth and the production of secondary metabolites, which are essential to its biological functions and medicinal properties.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Commiphora harveyi involves the production of specialized seeds that exhibit highly consistent physical characteristics. Quantitative analysis of the seed morphology reveals a uniform distribution in weight, with a recorded seed mass mean of 0.08754 g. This uniformity is absolute across the observed sample, as both the maximum and minimum seed mass values are identical at 0.08754 g. Such precise standardization in seed mass suggests a highly stable reproductive mechanism, ensuring that each individual seed carries a consistent nutrient reserve to support early seedling development.

Seed mass mean:

0.08754 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Commiphora harveyi has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Conditions

Commiphora harveyi has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Aspergillus fumigatus

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Candida albicans

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Cryptococcus neoformans

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Enterococcus faecalis

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Staphylococcus aureus

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Platelet aggregation

1. Pharmaceutical biology