Broad-leaved Beech

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Broad-leaved Beech
• Broad-leaved Beechwood
• African-Beech
• Broad-Leaf Beechwood
• Broad-Leaved Boekenhout
• Broadleaf Beechwood
• Large-Leaf Beechwood
• Large-Leaved Beechwood
• Pussycat Tail

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Leucadendron rochetianum
• Faurea decipiens var. katangensis
• Leucospermum rochetianum
• Faurea rochetiana subsp. speciosa
• Faurea speciosa
• Faurea speciosa var. lanuginosa
• Faurea decipiens
• Faurea speciosa var. katangensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Proteales. Finally, it is a member of the family Proteaceae and is specifically categorized under the genus Faurea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in the nations of Benin, Nigeria, and Togo. Moving toward the central regions, the species is also found within West-Central Tropical Africa. Specifically, its distribution extends into the countries of Cameroon and Burundi. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's significant presence across both West and West-Central tropical zones.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Faurea rochetiana is characterized by its preference for ecotone environments, where it thrives in the transitional zones between different biological communities. This species occupies a specific altitudinal niche, distributed across an elevational range that begins at 600 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 1500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Habitat :

ecotone

Life history

The life history of Faurea rochetiaana is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation typical of woody shrubs or trees. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal life cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Faurea rochetiana is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which functions as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or liana. As a terrestrial species, it maintains an independent life cycle and does not act as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant exhibits significant vertical development, with a height range spanning from a minimum of 3.5 meters to a maximum of 10 meters, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 9 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

9 m

Plant height min:

3.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Faurea rochetiana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy among many woody species that involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle. In terms of nutrient acquisition and symbiotic relationships, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules required to host diazotrophic bacteria for atmospheric nitrogen conversion and must instead rely on the uptake of available nitrates and ammonium from the soil.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Faurea rochetiana involves specific mechanisms for the movement of its progeny, characterized by a dual dispersal strategy. The plant exhibits an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, indicating that wind plays a primary role in the transport of its reproductive units. This is complemented by a secondary dispersal syndrome that is also classified as anemochorous, suggesting that wind-driven movement is the consistent and dominant method for spreading seeds or propagules across the landscape.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Faurea rochetiana 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of parasitology research

Chemicals

Faurea rochetiana has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Coumarins, Flavonoids, Glycosides, Saponins, Tannins.

Coumarins

1. Journal of parasitology research

Flavonoids

1. Journal of parasitology research

Glycosides

1. Journal of parasitology research

Saponins

1. Journal of parasitology research

Tannins

1. Journal of parasitology research

Activities

Faurea rochetiana has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Antiplasmodial.

Antimalarial

1. Journal of parasitology research

Antiplasmodial

1. Journal of parasitology research

Preparations