Diospyros mannii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant, Diospyros mannii, is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Its natural habitat includes the coastal and forest areas of Ghana and Guinea. The species is also widely documented within the borders of the Ivory Coast and Liberia. Furthermore, its presence is well-established in the diverse landscapes of Nigeria. Together, these locations define the specific ecological range where this medicinal species can be found.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Diospyros mannii is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, specifically functioning as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its perennating buds well above the ground, typically on woody branches, which allows it to survive through various seasonal cycles and environmental stresses. Its growth habit as a nanophanerophyte further refines its structural life strategy, indicating that while it follows the phanerophyte pattern of elevated bud protection, it maintains a relatively compact or shorter stature compared to larger forest canopy trees. This life form ensures the plant's persistence in its native habitat, utilizing its elevated meristematic tissues to navigate the competitive dynamics of its environment.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Diospyros mannii is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as a self-supporting structure. As a terrestrial organism, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, and it maintains an independent existence rather than acting as a parasite. The plant exhibits significant vertical development, with height measurements ranging from a minimum of approximately 12.19 meters to a maximum of 18.29 meters, maintaining an average height of 20 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18.28822238 m

Plant height mean:

20 m

Plant height min:

12.19214826 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Diospyros mannii is characterized by its metabolic efficiency and adaptations to its specific ecological niche, most notably through its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway. As a C3 plant, its carbon fixation process occurs primarily through the enzyme Rubisco, which captures atmospheric carbon dioxide directly within the mesophyll cells during the light-dependent reactions. This metabolic framework dictates its transpiration rates and water-use efficiency, as the plant must balance gas exchange for photosynthesis against the risk of desiccation. Furthermore, its physiological processes are governed by the regulation of stomatal conductance to manage moisture loss, alongside specialized cellular mechanisms for nutrient uptake and the synthesis of secondary metabolites that contribute to its medicinal properties.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Diospyros mannii 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 mannii 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