Cordia aurantiaca

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Gerascanthus batesii
• Gerascanthus goossensii
• Cordia batesii
• Cordia dusenii
• Cordia goossensii var. longifolia
• Cordia goossensii
• Gerascanthus aurantiacus
• Gerascanthus bequaertii

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is situated in the order Boraginales and the family Boraginaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Cordia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented within Nigeria. Moving into the West-Central Tropical Africa zone, it can be found in the Central African Republic. The species also inhabits the territories of Cameroon and Congo. Finally, its range extends to include the country of Equatorial Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cordia aurantiaca is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain a long-term presence in its natural habitat. Throughout its developmental stages, the species exhibits an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and green year-round rather than undergoing seasonal shedding. This combination of a perennial lifecycle and evergreen deciduousness enables the plant to maintain continuous photosynthetic activity, contributing to its sustained growth and ability to thrive over an extended lifespan.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cordia aurantiaca is characterized by a woody growth form that ranges from a shrub to a tree. As a terrestrial species, it is non-aquatic and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting in its structure, lacking the climbing habits of lianas or vines. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant vertical development, with a plant height that typically reaches a mean of 6 m, though individual specimens vary between a minimum of approximately 4.88 m and a maximum of approximately 7.92 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

7.924896367 m

Plant height mean:

6 m

Plant height min:

4.876859303 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cordia aurantiaca is characterized by metabolic processes that support its growth in specific ecological niches, primarily through its specialized photosynthetic and nutrient assimilation pathways. Regarding its relationship with soil chemistry and nutrient cycling, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its nitrogen requirements are met through the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil via its root system. The plant's physiological vigor is further defined by its water regulation mechanisms and its ability to manage secondary metabolites, which are vital for its medicinal properties and defense against environmental stressors.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cordia aurantiaca is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering pattern that dictates its reproductive cycle. The flowering process begins in June, marking the onset of its reproductive phase, and concludes within the same month of June. This concentrated period of anthesis suggests a highly synchronized blooming window, though the overall timing remains subject to variable environmental conditions.

Flowering time :

Jun

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cordia aurantiaca 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 stem.

Stem

1. BMC chemistry

Chemicals

Cordia aurantiaca has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include allantoin.

allantoin

1. BMC chemistry

Activities

Cordia aurantiaca has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Antitubercular.

Antimalarial

1. BMC chemistry

Antitubercular

1. BMC chemistry

Preparations

Cordia aurantiaca has 3 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include CH2Cl2 extract, MeOH extract, essential oil fraction.

Ch2cl2 extract

1. BMC chemistry

Meoh extract

1. BMC chemistry

Essential oil fraction

1. BMC chemistry