Fever Bark

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Fever Bark
• Fever Bark Tree
• Feverbark-Tree
• Feverberry
• Feverberry Croton
• Large Feverberry
• Lowveld Croton
• River Feverberry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Oxydectes megalobotrys
• Croton gubouga

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and order Malpighiales, it is further categorized under the family Euphorbiaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Croton, with its species name being megalobotrys.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found across several distinct regions of the African continent. In East Tropical Africa, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Tanzania. Moving into South Tropical Africa, it can be located in the country of Malawi. The species also inhabits the landscapes of Mozambique and Zambia. Finally, its geographical range extends to include the nation of Zimbabwe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Croton megalobotrys is characterized by its preference for deciduous woodland habitats, where it plays a role in the local ecosystem dynamics. This species occupies a specific altitudinal niche, thriving within an elevational range that extends from a minimum of 273 m AMSL to a maximum of 1310 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1310 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

273 m AMSL

Habitat :

deciduous woodland

Life history

The life history of Croton megalobotrys is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a member of the phanerophyte life forms, specifically categorized under both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte classifications, its reproductive buds are borne on aerial shoots well above the ground level. This structural strategy enables the plant to maintain a stable presence within its ecological niche throughout its long-term life cycle.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Croton megalobotrys is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as both a tree and a shrub. As a self-supporting and independent organism, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial habit. The plant exhibits significant variation in its stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 1.5 m to a maximum of 14 m, resulting in a mean plant height of approximately 12 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

14 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Plant height min:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Croton megalobotrys is characterized by metabolic processes typical of woody angiosperms within the Euphorbiaceae family, focusing on complex secondary metabolite synthesis and specialized nutrient acquisition. Its physiological framework involves efficient photosynthetic pathways to support its growth habit and structural integrity. Regarding its interaction with soil nutrients, the plant does not possess the specialized symbiotic relationships required for atmospheric nitrogen conversion; therefore, it is not a nitrogen fixer. This absence of nitrogen-fixing capabilities means that its physiological nitrogen requirements must be met entirely through the uptake of nitrates or ammonium ions from the soil via its root system. Consequently, its metabolic efficiency and biomass production are heavily dependent on the availability of exogenous nitrogen sources within its immediate ecological niche.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Croton megalobotrys is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit a highly uniform physical profile. Based on recorded data, the seed mass for this species is remarkably consistent, with a mean seed mass of 1.84378 g. This uniformity is reflected in the extreme narrowness of its mass range, as both the maximum and minimum recorded seed mass values are identical at 1.84378 g. Such precise measurement data suggests a standardized reproductive output in terms of seed weight, which is a critical factor in the plant's dispersal and germination success.

Seed mass mean:

1.84378 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Croton megalobotrys has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Namushen 1, Namushen 2.

Namushen 1

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Namushen 2

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Croton megalobotrys has 8 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include HIV, HIV-1, cancer, fever, fungal infections.

Hiv

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hiv-1

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fever

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fungal infections

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Inflammation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Sexually transmitted diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Croton megalobotrys has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Croton megalobotrys bark.

Croton megalobotrys bark

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology