Globimetula braunii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Globimetula unguiformis
• Globimetula zenkeri
• Loranthus braunii var. laurentii
• Loranthus braunii var. descampsii
• Loranthus braunii var. unguiformis
• Loranthus braunii var. zenkeri
• Loranthus braunii var. talbotii
• Loranthus zenkeri
• Loranthus scarlatinus
• Loranthus laurentii
• Loranthus togoensis
• Loranthus unguiformis
• Loranthus elongatus
• Loranthus braunii
• Loranthus descampsii
• Loranthus nigrescens

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Globimetula braunii, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Santalales and the family Loranthaceae. Its taxonomic hierarchy concludes with its placement in the genus Globimetula.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is found exclusively within the region of West Tropical Africa. Its documented presence spans several distinct countries across this part of the continent. Specifically, the species can be located in Benin and Ghana. It is also known to grow within the borders of Guinea and the Ivory Coast. Finally, the geographical distribution of this medicinal plant extends into Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Globimetula braunii is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its biological processes in a single year. As a perennial species, it avoids the seasonal mortality associated with annuals or the intermediate stages of biennials, instead establishing long-term presence within its ecological niche. This enduring lifecycle enables the plant to invest resources into robust structural development and repeated reproductive cycles over an extended period, contributing to its stability within its specific habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Globimetula braunii is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a shrub. This plant is a terrestrial species, neither aquatic nor semiaquatic, and it functions as an obligatory parasite. In terms of its physical stature, it is a self-supporting organism that reaches an average plant height of approximately 4 meters. Its structural development is strictly terrestrial, lacking any epiphytic tendencies such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte, and it maintains a robust, woody consistency throughout its growth.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

obligatory

Plant height mean:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproductive cycle of Globimetula braunii is characterized by a flexible phenological pattern regarding its flowering and fruiting stages. The flowering period is notably concentrated, with the onset of flowering typically occurring in February; however, the duration of this stage is variable, and the conclusion of flowering can also be observed around February depending on environmental conditions. Similarly, the fruiting phase of the plant displays significant temporal variability, as both the start and end times of fruit production are considered variable throughout the year. This lack of a fixed seasonal window for fruit development suggests that the plant's reproductive success is highly responsive to shifting ecological factors.

Flowering time :

Feb

Fruiting time :

variable

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Globimetula braunii has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine
2. Natural product research

Chemicals

Globimetula braunii has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthraquinones, Flavonoids, Saponins, Steroids, Tannins.

Anthraquinones

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Flavonoids

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Saponins

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Steroids

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Tannins

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Activities

Globimetula braunii has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticonvulsant, Antioxidant.

Anticonvulsant

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Antioxidant

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Conditions

Globimetula braunii has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancers, epilepsy, petit mal epilepsy.

Cancers

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Epilepsy

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Petit mal epilepsy

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Preparations

Globimetula braunii has 4 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include cold extraction method, crude ethanol extract, ethanol leaf extract, ethyl acetate fraction.

Cold extraction method

1. Natural product research

Crude ethanol extract

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Ethanol leaf extract

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Ethyl acetate fraction

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine