Gambeya perpulchra

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Chrysophyllum africanum var. orientale
• Chrysophyllum perpulchrum

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further organized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ericales. Ultimately, Gambeya perpulchra is a member of the family Sapotaceae within the genus Gambeya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Gambeya perpulchra, is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Within this area, it can be found growing in the country of Ghana. Its range also extends to the nation of Guinea. Furthermore, the species is present in both Ivory Coast and Liberia. Finally, its geographical presence is recorded within Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Gambeya perpulchra is characterized by its long-term survival strategy as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. Structurally, the species is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting life forms categorized under both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte designations, which indicates that its perennating buds are located high above the ground on woody stems or branches. This growth habit enables the plant to maintain a stable presence within its habitat over an extended lifecycle.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Gambeya perpulchra is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree, exhibiting a self-supporting growth form rather than acting as a climber or liana. As a terrestrial species, it does not inhabit aquatic or semiaquatic environments, nor does it function as an epiphyte or a parasite, maintaining an independent biological existence. The plant reaches significant dimensions, with an average height of approximately 32.5 m, though recorded maximum heights can reach approximately 30.48 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30.48037064 m

Plant height mean:

32.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Gambeya perpulchra is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy common among many woody tropical species that involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrogen from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Gambeya perpulchra is characterized by a highly flexible fruiting phenology, with the fruiting time being variable throughout the year, potentially spanning from January through December. The resulting fruits exhibit a fleshy texture, distinguishing their physical composition during the maturation process. Regarding the seeds produced, they maintain a consistent and specific size profile, with a documented seed volume that remains constant at a mean, minimum, and maximum of 10,000 mm³.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruiting time :

variable

Seed volume max:

10000 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Gambeya perpulchra has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CATECHIN, Compound 2, Compound 3.

CATECHIN

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Compound 2

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Compound 3

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations