Lanceleaf Buttonwood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Lanceleaf Buttonwood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Conocarpus niloticus

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Conocarpus lancifolius, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae within the order Myrtales. Finally, it is a member of the family Combretaceae and falls under the genus Conocarpus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the arid regions of Northeast Tropical Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. In the Horn of Africa, it can be found growing in the territory of Eritrea. Its presence extends further south into the coastal and inland areas of Somalia. Additionally, the species is documented within the unique landscapes of the Arabian Peninsula, specifically in Yemen. Together, these locations define the primary natural range for Conocarpus lancifolius.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Conocarpus lancifolius is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a stable presence in its habitat. Throughout its developmental stages, it maintains an evergreen habit, retaining its foliage year-round rather than shedding leaves seasonally. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and continuous leaf retention enables the species to maintain photosynthetic activity and structural integrity across varying environmental conditions.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Conocarpus lancifolius is characterized by its robust growth form, functioning primarily as a tree. This woody species reaches an average plant height of approximately 15 m, developing a sturdy structural framework. Although it exhibits climbing tendencies, it is classified as a self-supporting plant rather than an obligatory or facultative climber, allowing it to maintain its stature independently. Furthermore, the plant is an independent organism, meaning it does not function as a parasite, and its physical structure is defined by its distinctly woody composition.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Conocarpus lancifolius is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism in which carbon fixation occurs primarily through the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle. This metabolic process dictates how the plant manages gas exchange and energy production, typically requiring consistent moisture availability to maintain stomatal conductance. Furthermore, this species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, and must instead rely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium available within the soil matrix to meet its nutritional requirements for protein synthesis and growth.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Conocarpus lancifolius is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit significant variation in weight, reflecting a specific range of investment in offspring. The seed mass within the species is notably small, with a recorded mean value of 0.00576375 g. This reproductive output shows a broad spectrum of individual seed sizes, ranging from a minimum mass of 0.00062 g to a maximum mass of 0.01 g. Such fluctuations in seed mass suggest a diverse dispersal strategy or varying levels of nutrient allocation per propagule during the reproductive cycle.

Seed mass max:

0.01 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00576375 g

Seed mass min:

0.00062 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Conocarpus lancifolius has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Chemicals

Conocarpus lancifolius has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthraquinones, Cardiac Glycosides, Flavonoids, Saponins, Steroids.

Anthraquinones

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cardiac Glycosides

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Saponins

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Steroids

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Conocarpus lancifolius has 6 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Cytotoxic, Antifungal, Antiprotozoal, Antidiabetic.

Antibacterial

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cytotoxic

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antifungal

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiprotozoal

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Antidiabetic

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Antioxidant

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Conditions

Conocarpus lancifolius has 8 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antidiabetic, Alzheimer's disease, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans.

Antidiabetic

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Alzheimer's disease

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Aspergillus flavus

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry

Aspergillus fumigatus

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry

Candida albicans

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry

Antioxidant

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Cognitive disorders

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Neurodegenerative disorders

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Conocarpus lancifolius has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanolic extract.

Methanolic extract

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry