Daucus melananthus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is primarily located within the West-Central Tropical Africa region. Specifically, its presence can be observed in the country of Burundi. It is also distributed throughout Cameroon and the islands within the Gulf of Guinea. Furthermore, this species is documented to grow in Rwanda. Finally, the plant's range extends into the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Daucus melananthus is characterized by its adaptation to diverse montane and sub-montane environments, where it plays a role in the local botanical composition. This species demonstrates a broad vertical distribution across varying topographical gradients, occupying habitats that span a significant altitudinal spectrum. Its ecological niche extends from lower elevations up to a maximum elevation of 2685 m AMSL, allowing it to inhabit various microclimates and soil compositions within these ranges. The plant's ability to persist across such a wide elevational breadth suggests a high degree of environmental plasticity, enabling it to withstand the fluctuating temperature regimes and moisture availability typical of high-altitude ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2685 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Daucus melananthus is characterized by a variable lifecycle that can manifest as an annual, biennial, or perennial, depending on the specific environmental conditions and ecological niche it occupies. As a member of the Apiaceae family, its developmental stages typically begin with seed germination following seasonal moisture cues, leading to the establishment of a vegetative phase where the plant focuses on root and foliage development. Depending on its specific growth strategy within its lifecycle classification, the plant may complete its reproductive cycle within a single year or persist through multiple growing seasons, eventually transitioning into a flowering stage marked by the production of characteristic umbels. This temporal flexibility allows the species to adapt to fluctuating resource availability, ensuring long-term survival through varied reproductive rhythms.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Daucus melananthus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically functioning as a forb. This plant is a self-supporting species that does not exhibit climbing behavior and is classified as an independent organism rather than a parasite. It is a terrestrial plant, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, and grows in a non-climbing, upright manner. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species with a maximum plant height of approximately 0.85 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.85 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Daucus melananthus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Preparations

Daucus melananthus has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanol extracts, methanol leaf extracts.

Methanol extracts

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Methanol leaf extracts

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine