Cryptolepis nigrescens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Parquetina nigrescens
• Periploca afzelii
• Periploca preussii
• Periploca gabonica
• Periploca nigrescens
• Parquetina gabonica

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianales, it is a member of the family Apocynaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in the genus Cryptolepis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Cryptolepis nigrescens, is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence can be documented within the borders of Benin and Burkina Faso. Additionally, the species is found throughout the territory of Ghana. The geographical range extends further into Guinea-Bissau as well. Finally, the plant is also naturally occurring within the country of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cryptolepis nigrescens is characterized by its specific preference for coastal forest ecosystems located in close proximity to the sea, as exemplified by its presence in the Shimoni region. This habitat provides a specialized microclimate where the plant thrives under the influence of maritime conditions, likely benefiting from the high humidity and moderate temperature fluctuations typical of coastal forest margins. The environmental dynamics of these forested areas near the shoreline create a unique niche, integrating the moisture-retaining properties of the forest canopy with the salt-influenced air of the coastal zone.

Habitat :

on the coast in forest near the sea (Shimoni)

Life history

The life history of Cryptolepis nigrescens is characterized by its nature as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit and positioning relative to the ground, the plant is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits consistent with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms. This indicates that its stem and reproductive structures are maintained above the soil surface, facilitating its long-term survival and developmental complexity within its ecological niche.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cryptolepis nigrescens is characterized by its growth form as a woody herb that functions as an obligatory climber, specifically taking the form of a liana. This plant is a terrestrial species, avoiding aquatic or semiaquatic habitats, and it exists as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. Its structural development relies on its woody nature to navigate its environment through its climbing habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cryptolepis nigrescens is characterized by specific seed morphologies and dispersal mechanisms. The plant produces seeds with a highly uniform mass, as evidenced by a mean, maximum, and minimum seed mass all recorded at exactly 0.01123 g. In terms of its reproductive strategy for spreading offspring, the species exhibits an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on wind currents to facilitate the movement of its seeds away from the parent plant.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Seed mass mean:

0.01123 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cryptolepis nigrescens has 4 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, flower, root, stem.

Leaf

1. Natural product communications
2. Nigerian quarterly journal of hospital medicine
3. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Flower

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Root

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Stem

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Chemicals

Cryptolepis nigrescens has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Saponins, Tannins, Flavonoids, Anthraquinones, Cardiac Glycosides.

Saponins

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Journal of helminthology
3. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Tannins

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Journal of helminthology
3. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Journal of helminthology

Anthraquinones

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Cardiac Glycosides

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Convallatoxin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Steroids

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Terpenoids

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

coumarin

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Activities

Cryptolepis nigrescens has 12 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Analgesic, Antimicrobial, Antipyretic, Cytotoxic.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of dietary supplements
3. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Analgesic

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimicrobial

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antipyretic

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiasthmatic

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antidiabetic

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antihypertensive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimalarial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aphrodisiac

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations