Landolphia heudelotii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Within this area, its presence can be identified in the country of Burkina. It is also found throughout the coastal and inland areas of Gambia. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the territories of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, its natural habitat includes the diverse landscapes of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Landolphia heudelotii is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, specifically manifesting as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte depending on the specific growth stage and environmental context. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its perennating buds well above the ground level, typically protected by its woody structure. Its development follows a perennial cycle where the reproductive organs and dormant buds are held aloft on stems or branches, ensuring survival through varying seasonal conditions. The distinction as a nanophanerophyte suggests that while it maintains this elevated bud structure, its overall stature may remain relatively small or shrub-like compared to larger arborescent species. This life strategy allows the plant to persist in its native tropical habitats, utilizing its elevated buds to withstand environmental pressures while establishing a stable, long-lived presence in its ecosystem.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Landolphia heudelotii is characterized by a woody structure that functions as an obligatory climbing liana. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, nor does it act as a parasite, maintaining an independent growth habit. This climbing plant can reach a significant mean height of approximately 15 m, utilizing its woody stems to ascend through its environment.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Landolphia heudelotii is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes adapted to tropical forest ecosystems, where it functions as a woody climber utilizing complex structural mechanisms to reach sunlight. Its nutrient acquisition is heavily dependent on the uptake of minerals from the soil through an extensive root system, though it does not possess the biological capacity for symbiotic nitrogen fixation; specifically, it is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules containing diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms. Instead, the plant relies on the availability of nitrates and ammonium in the substrate to support its growth and the synthesis of secondary metabolites. Photosynthetic efficiency is maintained through broad leaf surfaces designed to optimize light interception in shaded environments, driving the production of carbohydrates that fuel its rapid vertical elongation and the development of its characteristic latex.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Landolphia heudelotii 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 ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Landolphia heudelotii has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Plasmodium falciparum.

Plasmodium falciparum

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Landolphia heudelotii has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves.

Leaves

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology