Glyphaea brevis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Schweinfurthafra lateriflora
• Glyphaea lateriflora
• Capparis brevis
• Grewia lateriflora
• Glyphaea grewioides
• Glyphaea monteiroi

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Glyphaea brevis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is further classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Malvales. Ultimately, it is a member of the family Malvaceae and is categorized under the genus Glyphaea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Glyphaea brevis, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented in several key countries, including Benin and Ghana. Additionally, the species can be found extending through Guinea-Bissau and Guinea. The geographical range also encompasses the coastal landscapes of the Ivory Coast. Collectively, these locations define the primary natural habitat for this medicinal plant.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Glyphaea brevis is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located high above the ground on aerial shoots. Within the specific nuances of its ecological strategy, it functions as a phanerophyte (Life_form_2) and is primarily categorized as a phanerophyte (Life_form_1), indicating its capacity to maintain permanent woody or semi-woody structures that protect its growing points from environmental stressors. This growth habit allows the plant to establish a stable presence in its habitat, utilizing its elevated meristems to facilitate seasonal development and long-term survival.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Glyphaea brevis is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which stands as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or liana. It is classified as a terrestrial plant, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, and functions as an independent organism without parasitic or epiphytic requirements. The species exhibits a robust, woody constitution, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 15 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Glyphaea brevirostris is fundamentally characterized by its metabolic processes, specifically its reliance on the C3 photosynthetic pathway for carbon fixation. In this physiological mode, the plant utilizes the enzyme Rubisco to facilitate the initial carboxylation of CO2, leading to the direct formation of a three-carbon compound, 3-phosphoglycerate, within the mesophyll cells. This C3 pathway dictates the plant's water-use efficiency and gas exchange dynamics, as it lacks the specialized bundle sheath anatomy found in C4 plants or the nocturnal acid accumulation seen in CAM species. Consequently, its physiological performance, including transpiration rates and carbon assimilation efficiency, is highly sensitive to environmental factors such as light intensity, temperature, and ambient moisture levels, which influence the rate of photorespiration relative to photosynthetic output.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Glyphaea brevis is characterized by a seasonal flowering cycle and a flexible fruiting period. The flowering phase typically begins in April and concludes in May, although the reproductive timeline can be highly variable depending on environmental conditions. Following the pollination period, the plant enters its fruiting stage; however, the specific timing for both the start and end of fruit development is considered variable throughout the year, showing no fixed monthly constraints across the January to December spectrum.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

May

Fruiting time :

variable

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Glyphaea brevis 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 stem.

Stem

1. Natural product research

Chemicals

Glyphaea brevis has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Epicatechin, Procyanidin B2.

Epicatechin

1. Natural product research

Procyanidin B2

1. Natural product research

Conditions

Glyphaea brevis has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include hepatitis, infectious diseases, parasites.

Hepatitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Infectious diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Parasites

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology