Corynanthe johimbe

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant, known as Corynanthe johimbé, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found growing within the borders of Nigeria. Its range extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it is present in the province of Cabinda. Furthermore, the species is documented throughout Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo. Finally, its geographical footprint includes the territory of Equatorial Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Corynanthe johimbe is characterized by its existence as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem over multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located on aerial shoots well above the ground, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit. This species maintains an evergreen status, retaining its foliage throughout the year rather than undergoing seasonal shedding. Furthermore, its classification as a phanerophyte is consistently reflected in its structural development, supporting a sustained and long-lived biological cycle within its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Corynanthe johimbe is characterized by a robust growth form, primarily manifesting as a woody tree. This plant exhibits a significant vertical stature, with an average height of approximately 25 m and a maximum recorded height reaching up to 27.43 m. While it displays characteristics consistent with a self-supporting liana or vine, its fundamental growth habit is that of a tree. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

27.43233358 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Corynanthe johimbe is characterized by its metabolic processes focused on the synthesis of complex indole alkaloids, primarily yohimbine, which are produced through specialized secondary metabolic pathways within its tissues. As a woody perennial, its physiological functions are geared toward long-term growth and the maintenance of structural integrity in tropical forest environments. Regarding its nutrient acquisition and symbiotic relationships, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the specialized root nodules or symbiotic associations with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Instead, its physiological nitrogen uptake is dependent on the absorption of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system. Its carbon assimilation is driven by photosynthetic processes that support both primary growth and the energy-intensive biosynthesis of its alkaloid profile.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Corynanthe johimbe 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 root.

Root

1. Sexual medicine reviews

Chemicals

Corynanthe johimbe has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Alloyohimbine, Corynantheine, Dihydrocorynantheine, PSEUDOYOHIMBINE, Quebrachine.

Alloyohimbine

1. Dr. Duke

Corynantheine

1. Dr. Duke

Dihydrocorynantheine

1. Dr. Duke

PSEUDOYOHIMBINE

1. Dr. Duke

Quebrachine

1. Dr. Duke

Tannin

1. Dr. Duke

Yohimbine

1. Dr. Duke

ajmaline

1. Dr. Duke

alpha-Yohimbine

1. Dr. Duke

corynanthine

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Corynanthe johimbe has 83 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include (-)-Chronotropic, Adrenergic-Blocker, Adrenolytic, Allergenic, Anesthetic.

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

Adrenergic-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

Adrenolytic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anesthetic

1. Dr. Duke

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antiacetylcholinesterase

1. Dr. Duke

Antianginal

1. Dr. Duke

Antiarrhythmic

1. Dr. Duke