Hunteria umbellata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hunteria elliotii
• Picralima elliotii
• Polyadoa umbellata
• Hunteria eburnea
• Carpodinus umbellata
• Picralima umbellata
• Hunteria mayumbensis
• Polyadoa elliotii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianaales, it is classified under the family Apocynaceae and the genus Hunteria. Specifically, its scientific identity is defined as Hunteria umbellata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Hunteria umbellata, is primarily found within the West Tropical Africa region. Its geographical range includes several key countries across this part of the continent. Specifically, it can be located in the coastal and forest zones of Benin and Ghana. The species also thrives within the territories of Guinea-Bissau and Guinea. Furthermore, its distribution extends into the Ivory Coast, marking its presence across these diverse West African landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Hunteria umbellata is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem over multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and life form, the species exhibits characteristics of both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte classifications, indicating its ability to maintain woody stems that extend above the ground level. This life history strategy enables the plant to establish a stable presence within its habitat, utilizing its perennial nature to endure environmental fluctuations while maintaining its vertical stature.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hunteria umbellata is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as a self-supporting structure. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behavior, maintaining a strictly terrestrial lifestyle. The plant exhibits significant variation in stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of approximately 3.05 meters to a maximum of about 36.58 meters, maintaining an average height of roughly 10 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

36.57644477 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Plant height min:

3.048037064 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hunteria umbellaata is characterized by its metabolic processes as a woody perennial, focusing on efficient nutrient acquisition and resource allocation within its tropical forest habitat. Its photosynthetic mechanisms are optimized for shaded or semi-shaded environments, allowing for steady carbon assimilation despite varying light intensities. In terms of its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as those found in the root nodules of leguminous species, and therefore relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium ions directly from the soil through its root system. The plant's physiological processes also include the complex biosynthesis of indole alkaloids, which are secondary metabolites produced through specific enzymatic pathways to serve as chemical defenses against herbivory and pathogens. Water regulation and transpiration are managed through sophisticated stomatal control, ensuring that cellular turgor is maintained while minimizing moisture loss in its native humid ecosystems.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Hunteria umbellata has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROGENIC ACID, Gallic acid, Phenols, RUTIN, SAPONIN.

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Gallic acid

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Phenols

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

RUTIN

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

SAPONIN

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Steroid

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Tannins

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

caffeic acid

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

quercetin

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Activities

Hunteria umbellata has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihypertensive, Antiproliferative.

Antihypertensive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiproliferative

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Hunteria umbellata has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, erectile dysfunction.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations