utile

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• utile
• Mahogany

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Entandrophragma macrocarpum
• Pseudocedrela utilis
• Entandrophragma thomasii
• Entandrophragma roburoides

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized under the order Sapindales and the family Meliaceae. Its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Entandrophragma.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, its presence has been documented in the country of Ghana. It is also found within the borders of Guinea and the Ivory Coast. Furthermore, the species can be located in Liberia. Finally, its geographical range extends into Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Entandrophragma utile is characterized by its status as a perennial species, ensuring long-term survival within its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, specifically categorized under both phanerophyte classifications, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation typical of larger woody species. Furthermore, this species exhibits a deciduous nature, meaning it undergoes a seasonal shedding of its foliage, which plays a critical role in its physiological cycle and environmental adaptation.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Entandrophragma utile is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree that exhibits a self-supporting growth form. This species is a terrestrial plant that grows independently, neither functioning as a parasite nor as an epiphyte. It reaches significant dimensions in the forest canopy, with a mean plant height of approximately 42.5 m and a maximum recorded height of up to 64.00877835 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

64.00877835 m

Plant height mean:

42.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Entandrophragma utile is characterized by a robust metabolic framework adapted to the competitive environments of tropical forest ecosystems. As a large woody species, its physiological processes are heavily centered on efficient carbon sequestration and the management of hydraulic conductivity within its extensive vascular system. Regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its nitrogen metabolism is entirely dependent on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system, necessitating a highly efficient scavenging mechanism to thrive in nutrient-cycling forest soils. This reliance on soil-derived nitrogen influences its overall growth rate and leaf nitrogen concentration, which in turn dictates its photosynthetic capacity and secondary metabolite production.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproductive cycle of Entandrophragma utile is characterized by a highly flexible phenology and specific pollination requirements. The flowering period is notably variable, with documented activity occurring in November, though the timing can shift across various months throughout the year. During the reproductive phase, self-fertilization is absent, indicating a reliance on cross-pollination mechanisms to ensure genetic diversity. The fruiting period follows a similarly variable schedule, with the timing of fruit development and maturation fluctuating depending on environmental conditions. The seeds produced by this species exhibit specific physical characteristics, with a minimum mass of 0.3 g and a maximum mass of 0.595 g, resulting in a calculated mean seed mass of approximately 0.440176667 g.

Flowering time :

Nov

Fruiting time :

variable

Seed mass max:

0.595 g

Seed mass mean:

0.440176667 g

Seed mass min:

0.3 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Entandrophragma utile has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiplasmodial, Cytotoxic.

Antioxidant

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Antiplasmodial

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Cytotoxic

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Conditions

Entandrophragma utile has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Plasmodium falciparum, ulcers.

Plasmodium falciparum

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Ulcers

1. The Nigerian postgraduate medical journal

Preparations

Entandrophragma utile has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Extracts.

Extracts

1. Chemistry & biodiversity