Dichapetalum madagascariense

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Malpighiales and is a member of the family Dichapetalaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Dichapetalum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Dichapetalum madagascariense, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing within the borders of Benin and Ghana. Additionally, the species is present in the coastal and inland areas of Guinea-Bissau. Its range also extends through the country of Guinea. Finally, the plant is documented to inhabit parts of the Ivory Coast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dichapetalum madagascariense is closely tied to its preference for coastal forests, where it thrives within the humid and sheltered microclimates of maritime ecosystems. In these environments, the plant occupies various niches within the forest understory and edge habitats, benefiting from the consistent moisture levels and the dappled sunlight characteristic of coastal woodland structures. The nutrient cycling and soil composition of these forest zones provide the necessary substrate for its growth, while the proximity to coastal influences often results in high humidity levels that support its physiological requirements. By establishing itself within these coastal forest communities, the species plays a role in the structural complexity of the local flora, interacting with the specific biotic and abiotic factors unique to seaside forest ecosystems.

Habitat :

coastal forests

Life history

The life history of Dichapetalum madagascariense is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, specifically manifesting through both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte growth forms. As a woody perennial, its regenerative buds are located on aerial branches well above the soil surface, allowing it to maintain a persistent structural presence in its ecosystem. Depending on the specific environmental conditions and the development of its woody architecture, the plant may exhibit the stature of a larger phanerophyte or the more compact, smaller-scale growth typical of a nanophanerophyte. This life strategy enables the species to navigate seasonal variations by maintaining its primary biomass above the ground, ensuring survival and continued reproductive potential through its perennial woody stems.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Dichapetalum madagascariense is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically presenting as a shrub. It reaches an average plant height of approximately 3.786 meters. The plant is a terrestrial species and functions as an independent organism, rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its climbing habit, it is classified as a liana and acts as an obligatory climber.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

3.786027798 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Dichapetalum madagascariense is characterized by a highly flexible phenological pattern, as both its flowering and fruiting stages exhibit significant temporal variability. The flowering period is not restricted to a specific season, with the onset of flowering being variable and capable of occurring during any month of the year, including January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December. Similarly, the conclusion of the flowering stage is equally variable, allowing the plant to complete its reproductive cycle at various points throughout the annual cycle. This lack of a rigid seasonal constraint extends to the fruiting process; the initiation of fruit development is variable and can be observed across all months from January through December, while the end of the fruiting period also follows this variable pattern. Consequently, the reproductive cycle of this species is highly adaptable, with flowering and fruiting timelines that shift according to environmental conditions rather than following a fixed calendar.

Flowering time :

variable

Fruiting time :

variable

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Dichapetalum madagascariense has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial.

Antimalarial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Dichapetalum madagascariense has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include malaria.

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Dichapetalum madagascariense has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include herbal teas.

Herbal teas

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology