Lagenaria breviflora

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Luffa angolensis
• Lagenaria angolensis
• Adenopus multiflorus
• Adenopus noctiflorus
• Adenopus ledermannii
• Adenopus breviflorus

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Cucurbitaleales and the family Cucurbitaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in the genus Lagenaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily located within the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, its presence is documented in the country of Benin. It can also be found growing across the territory of Burkina Faso. Furthermore, its distribution extends into Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, the species is recorded within the borders of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Lagenaria breviflora is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the plant is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits consistent with a phanerophyte life form, where its buds are borne on aerial shoots well above the ground level. This life history pattern supports its development and long-term survival within its ecological niche.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lagenaria breviflora is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form that functions as an obligatory climber. This plant is a terrestrial species, existing independently of any parasitic relationship, and it lacks epiphytic tendencies. As a climbing herb, it typically reaches a mean plant height of approximately 6 meters, utilizing its climbing mechanism to ascend structures or surrounding vegetation.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

6 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lagenaria breviflora is characterized by its metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies, which are typical of many members of the Cucurbitaceae family. The plant performs standard photosynthetic activity to convert light energy into chemical energy, facilitating the growth of its sprawling vines and large foliage. In terms of nutrient cycling and soil interaction, the plant does not possess the biological mechanisms required for symbiotic nitrogen fixation; therefore, it is classified as a non-nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies entirely on the availability of nitrogen in the soil through root absorption rather than converting atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form. Its physiological processes involve a robust transpiration stream to support its climbing habit and the maintenance of turgor pressure within its cellular structures, while its root system is specialized for the uptake of water and mineral ions from the substrate to sustain its vegetative development and reproductive cycles.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

Reproduction in Lagenaria breviflora is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit a high degree of uniformity in their physical dimensions. Based on quantitative data, the seed mass remains constant across all sampled specimens, with a mean, maximum, and minimum value all recorded at exactly 0.04173 g. This lack of variance in seed mass suggests a highly standardized reproductive output, ensuring that each seed carries a consistent amount of nutrient reserves to support early seedling development. This stability in seed weight is a critical factor in the plant's dispersal and germination success within its ecological niche.

Seed mass mean:

0.04173 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lagenaria breviflora has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, seed.

Fruit

1. Nigerian journal of physiological sciences : official publication of the Physiological Society of Nigeria
2. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology
3. Pharmacognosy magazine

Seed

1. Bioresource technology

Chemicals

Lagenaria breviflora has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include linoleic acid, BETA-SITOSTEROL, Essential amino acids, Unsaturated Fatty Acid, Unsaturated Fatty Acids.

linoleic acid

1. Bioresource technology
2. International journal of food sciences and nutrition

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Bioresource technology

Essential amino acids

1. International journal of food sciences and nutrition

Unsaturated Fatty Acid

1. International journal of food sciences and nutrition

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

1. Bioresource technology

oil

1. Bioresource technology

Activities

Lagenaria breviflora has 5 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Abortifacient, Antioxidant, Cardiotoxic, Hepatoprotective, Hepatotoxic.

Abortifacient

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Cardiotoxic

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Hepatoprotective

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Hepatotoxic

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Conditions

Lagenaria breviflora has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology
2. Pharmacognosy magazine

Preparations

Lagenaria breviflora has 4 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Methanolic Whole Fruit Extract, Methanolic whole fruit extract, ethanol extract of whole fruit, seeds.

Methanolic whole fruit extract

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Methanolic whole fruit extract

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Ethanol extract of whole fruit

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Seeds

1. Bioresource technology