African copaiba balsamtree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• African copaiba balsamtree
• Ilorin balsam
• West African copal
• West African gum copal

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Paradaniellia oliveri

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Daniellia olivei, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Fabales. Finally, it is a member of the Fabaceae family under the genus Daniellia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, its presence has been documented within the borders of Benin. It can also be found growing throughout the nation of Burkina Faso. Furthermore, the species extends its range into Gambia and Ghana. Finally, its geographical reach includes the coastal territory of Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Daniellia oliveri is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on aerial shoots, a structural adaptation that defines its life form. This botanical classification as a phanerophyte is consistent across its developmental stages, ensuring that its vital organs remain elevated to navigate its specific environmental niches throughout its extended lifespan.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Daniellia oliveri is characterized by its stature as a substantial tree, exhibiting a woody structure and an independent life cycle that does not rely on parasitic or epiphytic relationships. As a terrestrial species, it grows in non-aquatic environments and is entirely self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. The plant reaches significant dimensions, with an average height of 20 m and the capacity to attain a maximum height of approximately 30.48 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30.48037064 m

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Danielia oliveri is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes for carbon fixation through the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO. This pathway implies that the plant typically engages in photorespiration under conditions of high temperature or water stress, as it lacks the specialized CO2-concentrating mechanisms found in C4 or CAM species. Furthermore, in terms of nutrient acquisition and soil interaction, this species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it does not possess the specialized symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and must instead rely on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium present in the substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Daniellia oliveri is characterized by the production of specific fruit and seed structures that follow a consistent physical profile. The fruit is categorized by a dry texture, distinguishing it from fleshy varieties. The seeds produced by the plant exhibit a highly uniform volume, maintaining a consistent measurement of 9600 mm³ throughout the observed range. In terms of mass, the seeds show slight variations, with a minimum weight of 1.1972 g and a maximum weight of 1.27173 g, resulting in an average seed mass of 1.234465 g.

Fruit dryness :

dry

Seed mass max:

1.27173 g

Seed mass mean:

1.234465 g

Seed mass min:

1.1972 g

Seed volume max:

9600 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Daniellia oliveri has 3 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, root, stem.

Leaf

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Fitoterapia
3. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM
4. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Root

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Stem

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Chemicals

Daniellia oliveri has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthocyanins, Cardiac Glycosides, Condensed Tannins, Flavonoids, Saponins.

Anthocyanins

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Cardiac Glycosides

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Condensed Tannins

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Flavonoids

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Saponins

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Tannins

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Medicinal Uses

Daniellia oliveri has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diarrhea, epilepsy, inflammation, schizophrenia.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations