white star apple

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• White Star Apple

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Planchonella albida
• Chrysophyllum albidum
• Chrysophyllum henriquesii
• Chrysophyllum kayei
• Chrysophyllum millenianum

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 organized under the order Ericales and the family Sapotaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Gambeya, which includes the specific species Gambeya albida.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several countries within the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Benin and Ghana. Its natural habitat also extends through the territories of Guinea and Ivory Coast. Furthermore, the species is documented to occur within Liberia. These locations highlight its significant presence throughout this specific part of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Gambeya albida is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated woody structures, specifically categorized under the phanerophyte life forms to describe its growth habit. Furthermore, the species exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that it retains its foliage to support its long-term survival and developmental processes.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Gambeya albida is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree. It is a self-supporting, independent organism that does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. This species reaches significant dimensions in the landscape, with a plant height typically averaging around 35 m, though it can range from a minimum of 24 m to its maximum stature. Its structure is defined by its woody composition, providing the necessary stability for its substantial vertical development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

35 m

Plant height min:

24 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Guibourtia albida (often referred to in botanical contexts as Gambeya albida) is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The morphological aspects of its foliage reflect specific adaptations, with leaves exhibiting a mean length of 9.9 cm and a mean width of 3.5 cm. These leaves are notably thin, possessing a mean thickness of only 0.029 mm, a trait that influences gas exchange and transpiration rates. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on soil nutrient availability rather than symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria to meet its nitrogen requirements.

Leaf length mean:

9.9 cm

Leaf thickness mean:

0.029 mm

Leaf width mean:

3.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Gambeya albida is centered around the production of specialized seeds that exhibit distinct morphological characteristics. The seeds are characterized by a mean length of 21 mm, providing a substantial structural base for development. In terms of their vertical and lateral dimensions, the seeds reach a maximum height of 6.6 mm and a maximum width of 11.7 mm. These specific dimensions contribute to the overall architecture of the seed, playing a critical role in the plant's dispersal and germination processes within its natural habitat.

Seed height max:

6.6 mm

Seed length mean:

21 mm

Seed width max:

11.7 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Gambeya albida has 3 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf, root.

Fruit

1. Andrologia

Leaf

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Gambeya albida has 1 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic.

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of food biochemistry

Preparations

Gambeya albida has 1 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include infusion.

Infusion

1. Journal of food biochemistry