Diospyros kamerunensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the diverse landscapes of West and West-Central Tropical Africa. Within the West Tropical Africa region, its presence is specifically noted in Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Liberia. Moving further east into West-Central Tropical Africa, the species can also be found in Cameroon. Additionally, the geographical range extends into the country of Gabon. Together, these locations highlight the specific tropical belt where this medicinal species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Diospyros kamerunensis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural development and ecological positioning, it is classified as a phanerophyte, maintaining its buds well above the ground level. Additionally, it exhibits the growth characteristics of a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its specific stature and survival strategy within its natural habitat.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Diospyros kamerunensis is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a self-supporting tree. As a terrestrial species, it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. The plant exhibits a significant vertical structure, with a recorded minimum height of approximately 7.62 meters, a mean height of 12 meters, and a maximum height reaching up to 15.24 meters. Unlike climbing plants or lianas, its structural nature is entirely self-supporting.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15.24018532 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Plant height min:

7.62009266 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Diospyros kamerunensis is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutritional strategies. The plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a process where carbon fixation occurs primarily through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells, making it typical of many woody tropical species. Furthermore, it does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, relying instead on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds available in the soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Diospyros kamerunensis has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin, betulinic acid.

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

betulinic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

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

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

Antileukemic

1. Dr. Duke