Broad-leaved Wild-quince

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Broad-leaved Wild-quince
• Bastard Stinkwood
• Broad-Leafed Quince
• Broad-Leaved Laurel
• Nitonga Nut
• Nitonga Nuts
• Wild quince

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Laurales, and the family Lauraceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in the genus Cryptocarya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is found within specific regions of Southern Africa. Its natural habitat primarily includes the Cape Provinces. Additionally, the species is known to occur in the KwaZulu-Natal region. These areas represent the core geographical distribution of the species. Consequently, its range is concentrated within these distinct South African provinces.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cryptocarya latifolia is defined by its adaptability to diverse altitudinal gradients within its native habitat. This species thrives across a significant vertical range, colonizing environments that begin at low-lying areas as low as 30 m AMSL and extending up to an elevation of 1035 m AMSL. This broad elevational distribution suggests a capacity to inhabit various microclimates, ranging from lowland tropical settings to mid-elevation montane zones, where it likely interacts with a variety of soil compositions and moisture regimes characteristic of these differing altitudes.

Elevational range max:

1035 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

30 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cryptocarya latifolia is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem over many years rather than completing its cycle in a single season. As a long-lived woody plant, it follows a developmental trajectory that moves from seedling establishment through prolonged vegetative growth phases before reaching reproductive maturity. This perennial nature enables the plant to withstand seasonal fluctuations and invest significant energy into structural longevity and repeated reproductive efforts. Once established, its continuous lifecycle supports its role within its natural habitat, where it maintains a stable presence across multiple growing seasons.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cryptocarya latifolia is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which typically reaches a plant height ranging from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 18 meters. This species is a terrestrial plant, existing neither as an aquatic nor a semiaquatic organism, and it functions as an independent species rather than a parasite. Furthermore, it is a terrestrial plant rather than an epiphyte, and it is classified as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cryptocarya latifolia has 3 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf, root.

Fruit

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

Leaf

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

Root

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

Chemicals

Cryptocarya latifolia has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Copaene, NEROLIDOL, Quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside.

Copaene

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

NEROLIDOL

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

Quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside

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

Conditions

Cryptocarya latifolia has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Cryptocarya latifolia has 1 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include acetone and water plant extracts.

Acetone and water plant extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology