Flint Bark

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Flint Bark

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Diospyros bequaertii
• Diospyros kimba-kimba
• Diospyros chlamydocarpa
• Diospyros mayumbensis
• Maba coriacea
• Maba nutans

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Ericales, it is a member of the family Ebenaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Diospyros.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the diverse landscapes of West Tropical Africa. Within this region, its presence has been documented in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. It also extends further into the coastal areas of Liberia. The species can be found stretching into Nigeria, representing a significant part of its West African range. Additionally, its distribution reaches into West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically within the territory of Cabinda.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Diospyros canaliculata is characterized by its existence as a perennial organism, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated branches, a structural strategy that allows it to thrive in various light environments. It exhibits an evergreen deciduousness pattern, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year, providing consistent metabolic activity and structural stability across different seasons.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Diospyros canaliculata is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically developing as a self-supporting tree. This species is strictly terrestrial in its habitat and functions as an independent organism, rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant vertical development, with heights ranging from a minimum of approximately 4.57 meters to a maximum of 18.29 meters, maintaining an average plant height of 13.5 meters. As a self-supporting tree, it does not exhibit climbing behaviors such as lianas or vines, instead maintaining a robust, upright structural integrity.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18.28822238 m

Plant height mean:

13.5 m

Plant height min:

4.572055596 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Diospyros canaliculata is characterized by its metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies typical of the Ebenaceae family. The plant functions through complex photosynthetic pathways to convert solar energy into chemical energy, supporting its growth and structural development. In terms of its nitrogen economy, Diospyros canaliculata is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its nitrogen requirements are met through the uptake of nitrates and ammonium ions from the soil via its root system. This reliance on soil-available nitrogen dictates its distribution in specific ecological niches where soil fertility is sufficient to support its physiological demands.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Diospyros canaliculata is characterized by a highly flexible phenological cycle regarding both its flowering and fruiting stages. The flowering period is notably broad, with the onset of flowers occurring in September, though the specific timing of the flowering end can vary significantly across different environmental conditions. Similarly, the fruiting process exhibits a high degree of variability; while the commencement and conclusion of the fruiting stage are categorized as variable, they can potentially span across any month of the year, from January through December. This adaptability in its reproductive timing suggests that the plant can respond dynamically to seasonal shifts and local climatic patterns.

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruiting time :

variable

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Diospyros canaliculata has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin, Plumbagin, betulinic acid.

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

Plumbagin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

betulinic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Diospyros canaliculata has 23 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic, Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial, Anticancer.

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Diospyros canaliculata has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer.

Cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology