Stinky Haap

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Stinky Haap

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Kedrostis rostrata
• Melothria obtusiloba
• Achmandra rostrata
• Rhynchocarpa foetidissima
• Melothria foetida
• Zehneria obtusiloba
• Rhynchocarpa foetida
• Melothria foetidissima
• Kedrostis obtusiloba
• Rhynchocarpa rostrata
• Bryonia rostrata
• Bryonia perrottetiana
• Bryonia prostrata
• Bryonia foetidissima
• Cyrtonema foetens
• Cyrtonema convolvulaceum
• Cyrtonema divergens
• Trichosanthes foetidissima
• Kedrostis foetidissima var. microcarpa
• Kedrostis foetidissima var. divergens
• Kedrostis foetidissima var. perrottetiana
• Kedrostis foetidissima subsp. obtusiloba
• Kedrostis foetidissima var. glandulifera

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and order Cucurbitales, it falls under the family Cucurbitaceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Kedrostis, which contains the species Kedrostis foetidissima.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Kedrostis foetidissima, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing within the borders of Benin and Ghana. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the territory of Mali. Its presence is also well-documented throughout Nigeria. Finally, the distribution includes the country of Niger, completing its regional footprint.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Kedrostis foetidissima is characterized by its ability to inhabit a diverse range of altitudinal gradients, demonstrating significant adaptability to varying topographical conditions. This species is distributed across a wide vertical span, occupying habitats from low-lying areas at an elevation of 30 m AMSL to higher montane regions reaching a maximum of 1950 m AMSL. This broad elevational range suggests that the plant can thrive in various microclimates, ranging from warmer, more humid lowland environments to cooler, more temperate high-altitude zones. Such ecological plasticity allows it to colonize different niches within its geographical range, adjusting to the shifting environmental pressures associated with changes in temperature, atmospheric pressure, and moisture availability found across these varying elevations.

Elevational range max:

1950 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

30 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Kedrostis foetidissima is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, meaning it maintains its life cycle over multiple years rather than completing it within a single growing season. In terms of its structural growth habit and life form, the species is categorized as a phanerophyte, a designation that indicates its permanent shoots are elevated well above the ground surface, allowing it to establish a robust and long-lasting presence in its natural habitat.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Kedrostis foetidissima is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb that functions as an obligatory climber. It exhibits a terrestrial habit, growing as an independent organism rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant's stature is variable, with a height that ranges from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 3 m, maintaining a mean height of approximately 2 m. Despite its climbing nature, its structural support can range from being an obligatory climber to having self-supporting tendencies depending on the environment.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

2 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Kedrostis foetidissima is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes and growth patterns adapted to its specific ecological niche. As a climbing shrub, its physiological vigor is driven by efficient nutrient uptake and photosynthetic pathways that support its rapid upward growth. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as rhizobia, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its physiological dependence on soil nitrogen availability is significant, necessitating the absorption of nitrates or ammonium directly from the substrate to sustain its protein synthesis and cellular development. The plant's metabolic activity is further influenced by its secondary metabolite production, which serves both defensive and physiological roles within its organic systems.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Kedrostis foetidissima is characterized by the production of small seeds that exhibit specific weight variations within its population. The seed mass of this species is relatively lightweight, with a recorded mean mass of 0.01043 g. Individual seeds demonstrate a narrow range of mass distribution, with the smallest observed seed weighing 0.00868 g and the largest reaching a maximum mass of 0.01218 g. These quantitative traits reflect the specific energetic investment the plant places into its propagules during its reproductive cycle.

Seed mass max:

0.01218 g

Seed mass mean:

0.01043 g

Seed mass min:

0.00868 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Kedrostis foetidissima 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of food biochemistry

Chemicals

Kedrostis foetidissima has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Phenols, Steroids, Tannins, Terpenoids.

Flavonoids

1. Cardiovascular & hematological agents in medicinal chemistry

Phenols

1. Cardiovascular & hematological agents in medicinal chemistry

Steroids

1. Cardiovascular & hematological agents in medicinal chemistry

Tannins

1. Cardiovascular & hematological agents in medicinal chemistry

Terpenoids

1. Cardiovascular & hematological agents in medicinal chemistry

Activities

Kedrostis foetidissima has 4 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Gastroprotective.

Anticancer

1. Cardiovascular & hematological agents in medicinal chemistry

Antimicrobial

1. Cardiovascular & hematological agents in medicinal chemistry

Antioxidant

1. Cardiovascular & hematological agents in medicinal chemistry

Gastroprotective

1. Cardiovascular & hematological agents in medicinal chemistry

Conditions

Kedrostis foetidissima has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include malaria.

Malaria

1. Tropical medicine and health

Preparations

Kedrostis foetidissima has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude extracts, phenolic fraction extracted from the leaves.

Crude extracts

1. Cardiovascular & hematological agents in medicinal chemistry

Phenolic fraction extracted from the leaves

1. Journal of food biochemistry