Octopus Cabbage Tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Octopus Cabbage Tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cussonia laciniata
• Cussonia barteri
• Cussonia delevoyi
• Cussonia djalonensis
• Cussonia hamata
• Cussonia homblei
• Cussonia kirkii
• Cussonia kirkii var. bracteata
• Cussonia kirkii var. quadripetala
• Cussonia longissima
• Cussonia nigerica
• Cussonia tisserantii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Apiales, it is classified under the family Araliaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Cussonia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented across several distinct nations, starting with Benin. Moving through the region, it can also be found within the borders of Burkina Faso. The species extends its range into Ghana and Guinea-Bissau as well. Finally, its distribution reaches into the territory of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cussonia arborea is characterized by its existence as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a growth form that allows it to achieve significant height and structural dominance. The species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage seasonally, which serves as an adaptive mechanism to manage resources and survive varying environmental conditions.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cussonia arborea is characterized by its robust, woody growth form, manifesting primarily as a self-supporting tree. This terrestrial species typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 3 meters to an average of approximately 7 meters. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a stable structural presence in its habitat. Its development is defined by a solid, woody constitution that allows it to stand firmly without the need for climbing structures, such as vines or lianas.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

7 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cussonia arborea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO, a common metabolic strategy among many woody dicotyledonous species. In terms of nutrient acquisition and symbiotic relationships, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, as it lacks the specialized root nodules required to host diazotrophic bacteria for atmospheric nitrogen conversion. Consequently, its physiological survival and growth depend on the uptake of dissolved nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cussonia arborea is characterized by a complex biological process involving biotic pollination and specialized seed dispersal mechanisms. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. This reproductive strategy ensures genetic exchange through animal interactions rather than abiotic factors like wind or water. Once fertilization occurs, the plant produces seeds with a highly consistent mass, recorded at a mean, minimum, and maximum of 0.00791 g, indicating a uniform seed size for the species. The dispersal of these seeds follows a zoochorous syndrome, specifically through endozoochory, meaning the seeds are dispersed via the digestive tracts of animals. This mechanism allows the plant to utilize animal mobility to spread its offspring across the landscape, enhancing its colonization potential.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.00791 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cussonia arborea has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Glycosides, Phenols, STIGMASTEROL, Saponins.

Flavonoids

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

Glycosides

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

Phenols

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

STIGMASTEROL

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Saponins

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

Tannins

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

Triterpenes

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

Activities

Cussonia arborea has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal.

Antifungal

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Conditions

Cussonia arborea has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmune diseases

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Preparations

Cussonia arborea has 4 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous, hydro-ethanolic, hydrolysed, methanolic.

Aqueous

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

Hydro-ethanolic

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

Hydrolysed

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

Methanolic

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