Diospyros zenkeri

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed throughout the tropical regions of the African continent. Within West Tropical Africa, its presence is specifically noted in Nigeria. Moving into West-Central Tropical Africa, the species can be found in the nation of Cameroon. Its range further extends into the Central African Republic and the country of Congo. Additionally, the geographical footprint of this medicinal species includes the Cabinda enclave.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Diospyros zenkeri is characterized by its long-term existence as a perennial species, ensuring its persistence within its ecological niche over many years. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated structures, specifically categorized under the phanerophyte life form which signifies its growth as a woody plant with buds located well above the ground. This species exhibits an evergreen deciduousness pattern, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year without a seasonal shedding period, providing continuous metabolic activity and structural stability.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Diospyros zenkeri is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree. It is a terrestrial, independent species that does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a mean height of 15 m, though it can attain a maximum height of approximately 18.28822238 m. While it possesses some self-supporting characteristics often associated with lianas or vines, its primary structural identity remains that of a self-supporting woody tree.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18.28822238 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Diospyros zenkeri is characterized by its metabolic processes as a woody tropical species, focusing primarily on carbon sequestration through photosynthesis and the management of water potential within its cellular structures. As a non-leguminous plant, its physiological profile indicates that it is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia; instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium ions from the soil through its root system to satisfy its nitrogen requirements for protein and chlorophyll synthesis. The plant's nutrient acquisition strategies are closely linked to its transpiration rates and the osmotic regulation within its vascular tissues, ensuring efficient mineral transport despite the varying moisture levels of its natural habitat. Its nitrogen-related traits are categorized as follows: nitrogen fixer: no.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Diospyros zenkeri 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 zenkeri 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