Drypetes capillipes

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lingelsheimia capillipes

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Malpighiales and the family Putranjivaceae. Ultimately, its scientific identity is defined by the genus Drypetes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the tropical regions of Africa. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in Nigeria. Its presence extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it inhabits the Central African Republic. Additionally, the species is distributed across Cameroon and Congo. Finally, its range reaches into the West-Central Tropical African nation of Equatorial Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Drypetes capillipes is characterized by its long-term presence in its ecosystem, as it follows a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit and positioning within the life form classifications, it is categorized as a phanerophyte, indicating that its perennial buds are elevated on woody stems above the ground level. Additionally, it can be described as a nanophanerophyte, a classification that specifies the height of its persistent shoots, typically placing it within a lower range of the woody plant spectrum while still maintaining its elevated bud structure.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Drypetes capillipes is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as a self-supporting organism. It is a terrestrial plant, neither aquatic nor epiphytic, and it maintains an independent life cycle without acting as a parasite. In terms of stature, the species typically reaches a mean height of 3 m, though it can achieve a maximum height of approximately 3.66 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3.657644477 m

Plant height mean:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Drypetes capillipes is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies common to many woody tropical species. In terms of its nitrogen metabolism, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system. Its physiological efficiency is heavily dependent on its ability to manage gas exchange and photosynthetic rates within its leaf tissue to support growth in its native environment. Furthermore, the plant's internal biochemical pathways are geared toward secondary metabolite production, which plays a critical role in its defensive physiology and overall survival.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Drypetes capillipes is characterized by a specific seasonal cycle and a reliance on external pollination mechanisms. The flowering period typically begins in April and concludes in May, though the timing can be variable throughout the year. Notably, the plant does not engage in self-fertilization, as the trait is absent, indicating a requirement for cross-pollination to ensure genetic diversity. Following the flowering phase, the fruiting process commences in December and extends through to December, marking a period where the development of reproductive structures reaches completion.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

May

Fruiting time :

Dec

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Drypetes capillipes has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Aphrodisiac, Rodenticide.

Aphrodisiac

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rodenticide

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Drypetes capillipes has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include dysentery, headache, malaria, rheumatism, sinusitis.

Dysentery

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Headache

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rheumatism

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Sinusitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Typhoid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Wounds

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology