African Rosewoood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• African Rosewoood
• False Mopane
• Large False Mopane
• Mchibi
• Rhodesian Mohogany
• Rhodesian Teak
• copalwood
• African rosewood
• Bastard Mopane
• False Mopani
• False-Mopane
• Large Copalwood
• Large False-Mopane
• Large Mchibi
• Large Mock Mopane
• Rhodesian copalwood
• Umtshibi
• Zimbabwe Mahogany
• Zimbabwe Teak

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Copaiba coleosperma
• Copaifera coleosperma
• Copaiva coleosperma

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is further categorized under the family Fabaceae. Its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Guibourtia, specifically the species Guibourtia coleosperma.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its presence extends into South Tropical Africa, specifically inhabiting the territories of Angola and Zambia. Additionally, the species is documented in Zimbabwe, which also falls under the South Tropical Africa classification. Finally, its range reaches into the Southern Africa region, encompassing Botswana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Guibourtia coleosperma is characterized by its specialized occurrence within forest habitats, where it thrives under specific environmental conditions. This species occupies a relatively narrow altitudinal niche, specifically distributed within an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 900 m AMSL to a maximum of 1100 m AMSL. This restricted elevational belt suggests that the plant is sensitive to the specific temperature gradients and moisture levels found within these mid-altitude forest ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

900 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Guibourtia coleosperma is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, meaning the plant persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. As a perennial species, it maintains its vegetative structure over an extended period, allowing it to establish a robust presence within its natural habitat. This long-term survival strategy enables the plant to accumulate resources over successive years, which can support more consistent reproductive efforts and greater resilience to environmental fluctuations compared to annual or biennial species.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Guibourtia coleosperma is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically categorized as a tree. This species exhibits a significant stature, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 4 meters to a maximum of 20 meters, resulting in an average height of approximately 20 meters. As a terrestrial plant, it does not inhabit aquatic or semiaquatic environments, nor does it function as an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting in its growth habit, meaning it does not require external structures like lianas or vines to maintain its upright posture, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

20 m

Plant height min:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Guibourtia coleosperma is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide during the light-independent reactions. In terms of nutrient acquisition, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms and must instead rely on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium from the soil.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Guibourtia coleosperma is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, indicating a reliance on living organisms to facilitate the transfer of genetic material. This reproductive process is primarily driven by insect pollination, utilizing various biological vectors to ensure successful fertilization. Specifically, the plant engages with a diverse array of insect pollinators, including bees, beetles, ants, butterflies, moths, and flies, which play a critical role in its life cycle. By leveraging these diverse insect interactions, the plant ensures effective pollen dispersal through biotic mechanisms rather than abiotic factors like wind or water.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Guibourtia coleosperma has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthraquinones, Coumarins, Flavonoids, Steroids, Terpenoids.

Anthraquinones

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Coumarins

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Flavonoids

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Steroids

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Terpenoids

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Activities

Guibourtia coleosperma has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer.

Anticancer

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Medicinal Uses

Guibourtia coleosperma has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations