Icacina trichantha

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Icacinales, it is classified under the family Icacinaceae. Specifically, the species Icacinina trichantha is identified by its genus, Icacinina.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Icacinina trichantha, possesses a specific geographical range within the African continent. Its distribution is primarily concentrated in the region of West Tropical Africa. Specifically, documented occurrences of this species can be found within the borders of Benin. Additionally, the plant is also known to grow naturally throughout Nigeria. These locations represent the primary areas where the species is established in the wild.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Icacinina trichantha is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a member of the phanerophyte life forms, specifically classified under both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte categories, its perennating buds are located well above the ground level, typically on woody stems or branches. This structural growth habit enables the plant to maintain a stable presence within its ecosystem, utilizing its perennial nature to survive seasonal fluctuations and ensure long-term reproductive potential.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Icacinina trichantha is characterized by a woody growth form that functions primarily as a shrub. It manifests as an obligatory climber, specifically a liana, which utilizes surrounding structures for support rather than being self-supporting. The plant typically reaches an average height of approximately 2 meters and maintains a terrestrial habit, growing in the soil rather than as an epiphyte.

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height mean:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Icacinaceae trichantha is characterized by its complex metabolic processes and specialized nutrient acquisition strategies. As a woody plant, its physiological framework is centered around efficient photosynthetic pathways and robust secondary metabolism, which allows it to thrive in specific ecological niches. Regarding its interaction with soil nutrients and microbial symbionts, the plant does not exhibit the capacity for biological nitrogen fixation; therefore, it is categorized as a non-nitrogen fixer (trait_1: Nitrogen fixer, trait_value: no). This indicates that the species relies entirely on the uptake of available nitrates and ammonium ions from the soil through its root system rather than establishing symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms. Its physiological processes are geared toward the efficient translocation of minerals and the synthesis of bioactive compounds, supported by a vascular system designed for sustained growth and structural integrity.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Icacina trichantha has 3 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, stem.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Icacina trichantha has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 70% Ethanol, Humirianthenolide C, Icacinlactone H, Icacinol, Icacintrichantholide.

70% Ethanol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Humirianthenolide C

1. Journal of natural products

Icacinlactone H

1. Organic letters

Icacinol

1. Journal of natural products

Icacintrichantholide

1. Organic letters

PETROLEUM ETHER

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Icacina trichantha has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations