Cussonia holstii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cussonia holstii f. integrifoliola
• Cussonia holstii var. tomentosa
• Cussonia boranensis
• Cussonia bequaertii
• Cussonia microstachys

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 and is specifically identified by the genus Cussonia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, its presence is documented within the countries of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Moving toward the eastern side of the continent, the species is also found throughout Northeast Tropical Africa. Specifically, it inhabits the diverse landscapes of Eritrea and Ethiopia. Furthermore, its range extends into the Horn of Africa, specifically within Somalia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cussonia holstii is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche through multiple growing seasons. As a plant, it exhibits a phanerophyte life form, specifically categorized under both phanerophyte classifications, which indicates that its stem or buds are elevated well above the ground level, allowing it to develop into a woody, structural presence. This growth habit enables the species to persist over extended periods, maintaining a stable biological cycle through its perennial nature and its elevated physiological structure.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cussonia holstii is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, reaching a mean plant height of approximately 15 m. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite and maintains a terrestrial habit rather than being an epiphyte. Furthermore, the plant is self-supporting in its structure, meaning it does not require external climbing supports to maintain its vertical development.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cussonia holstii is characterized by specialized metabolic processes adapted to its specific environmental niche, particularly regarding nutrient acquisition and resource management. In terms of its nitrogen metabolism, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its physiological reliance is placed on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system. The plant's metabolic efficiency is further defined by its photosynthetic pathways and water-use strategies, which allow it to maintain cellular homeostasis and structural integrity within its habitat. Its physiological profile is strictly non-diazotrophic, meaning it must depend entirely on organic or inorganic nitrogen sources present in the substrate rather than biological nitrogen fixation.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cussonia holstii has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Hederagenin.

Hederagenin

1. Natural product research

Conditions

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

Trichomonas

1. Natural product research

Preparations

Cussonia holstii has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include dichloromethane extract of the bark of Cussonia holstii.

Dichloromethane extract of the bark of cussonia holstii

1. Natural product research