Sapele

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Sapele
• sapele-mahogany

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Entandrophragma lebrunii
• Entandrophragma tomentosum
• Pseudocedrela cylindrica
• Entandrophragma cedreloides
• Entandrophragma rufum
• Entandrophragma pseudocylindricum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified in the family Meliaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Entandrophragma.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Entandrophragma cylindricum, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented within the borders of Ghana, where it thrives in local ecosystems. It can also be found growing in the diverse landscapes of Guinea. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the Ivory Coast and Liberia. Finally, its geographical footprint is completed by its occurrence in Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Entandrophragma cylindricum is characterized by its existence as a perennial organism, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated woody structures, a life form classification that appears consistently across its developmental stages. Furthermore, this species exhibits a deciduous nature, undergoing seasonal shedding of its foliage as part of its physiological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Entandrophragma cylindricum is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree. It is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant is a significant forest component, reaching an average height of approximately 45 m, with maximum recorded heights extending up to 60.96 m. As a self-supporting tree, it does not exhibit climbing or vine-like habits, maintaining a stable, upright structural integrity.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

60.96074128 m

Plant height mean:

45 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Entandrophragma cylindricum is characterized by its metabolic processes as a large, canopy-forming tropical hardwood, primarily focusing on efficient carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling within rainforest ecosystems. As a non-nitrogen-fixing species, it does not possess the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia; therefore, its nitrogen fixation status is a definitive "no." Instead, the plant relies on the uptake of mineralized nitrogen from the organic matter in the soil through an extensive root system. Its physiological processes are optimized for high photosynthetic rates under varying light intensities, allowing it to maintain vigorous growth and produce dense, durable wood. The plant's water regulation and nutrient transport mechanisms are geared toward sustaining its significant biomass, utilizing transpiration to move essential minerals from the soil to its massive canopy to support complex metabolic functions.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Entandrophragma cylindricum is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and specialized pollination requirements. The flowering period typically commences in February and reaches its conclusion in March, though the timing can be variable within the seasonal cycle. In terms of its reproductive biology, the plant does not undergo self-fertilization, as the process of self-fertilization is documented as absent, indicating a reliance on cross-pollination mechanisms. The resulting seeds produced are highly consistent in their physical properties, maintaining a uniform seed mass. Specifically, the seed mass remains constant across its range, with a mean, maximum, and minimum value all measured at approximately 0.31153 g.

Flowering time :

Feb

Flowering time :

Mar

Seed mass mean:

0.31153 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Entandrophragma cylindricum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem.

Stem

1. Journal of parasitology research

Chemicals

Entandrophragma cylindricum has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-catechin, Ekeberin D2, Epicatechin, Flavonoid, Sapelenin G.

(+)-catechin

1. Phytochemistry

Ekeberin D2

1. Phytochemistry

Epicatechin

1. Phytochemistry

Flavonoid

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Sapelenin G

1. Phytochemistry

Activities

Entandrophragma cylindricum has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antipyretic.

Analgesic

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Antipyretic

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Conditions

Entandrophragma cylindricum has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Chikungunya virus infection, Plasmodium berghei, inflammation, malaria.

Chikungunya virus infection

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Plasmodium berghei

1. Journal of parasitology research

Inflammation

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Malaria

1. Journal of parasitology research

Preparations

Entandrophragma cylindricum has 4 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include bark, ethanol extracts, ethyl acetate extract, stem bark powder.

Bark

1. Phytochemistry

Ethanol extracts

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Ethyl acetate extract

1. Journal of parasitology research

Stem bark powder

1. Journal of parasitology research