white rubbervine

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• white rubbervine
• white-ball-rubber

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Paederia owariensis
• Pacouria owariensis
• Vahea owariensis
• Landolphia owariensis var. rubiginosa
• Landolphia miegeana
• Landolphia mayumbensis
• Landolphia owariensis var. leiocalyx
• Landolphia owariensis var. tomentella
• Landolphia owariensis var. tomentosa
• Landolphia pierrei
• Landolphia leiocalyx
• Landolphia humilis
• Landolphia gentilii
• Landolphia glaberrima
• Landolphia droogmansiana
• Landolphia stapfiana
• Landolphia stolzii
• Landolphia turbinata
• Landolphia tomentella

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Landolphia owarienis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Gentianaales and the family Apocynaceae. Its taxonomic hierarchy concludes with its placement in the genus Landolphia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed throughout the region of West Tropical Africa. Within this specific area, its presence is documented in the country of Benin. It can also be found growing across the landscapes of Burkina. Furthermore, the species extends its range into Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, its geographical footprint includes the nation of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Landolphia owarienensis is characterized by its existence as a perennial organism, allowing it to maintain its presence within its ecosystem over multiple years. As a phanerophyte, the plant's vital organs are positioned well above the ground, typically manifesting as a woody climbing vine or shrubby structure that utilizes height to access light. This phanerophyte life form ensures that its reproductive and vegetative buds are elevated, protecting them through various seasonal cycles and supporting its long-term survival strategy within its natural habitat.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Landolphia owarienensis is characterized by its woody structure and distinct growth habits. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, as it maintains a primarily terrestrial existence. The plant exhibits a growth form classified as a shrub, though it also possesses the characteristics of a liana, functioning as an obligatory climber. In terms of vertical dimension, it is a substantial species with a recorded maximum plant height of approximately 91.44 meters and an average height of 100 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

91.44111192 m

Plant height mean:

100 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Landolphia owariensis is characterized by complex metabolic processes adapted to its role within tropical forest ecosystems, primarily focusing on efficient nutrient cycling and structural development. As a woody climber, its physiological activity is heavily centered on rapid elongation and the management of hydraulic conductance through specialized vascular tissues that facilitate the transport of water and photosynthates over significant vertical distances. Regarding its interaction with soil nutrients, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Instead, it relies on the uptake of dissolved nitrates and ammonium from the organic-rich forest floor through an extensive root system. Its photosynthetic pathways are optimized for high-light interception within the canopy, driving the production of secondary metabolites that serve both defensive and physiological regulatory functions.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Landolphia owarienensis is characterized by a specific seasonal cycle and a specialized dispersal mechanism. The flowering period is concentrated around February, marking both the onset and the conclusion of the floral stage. Following the pollination phase, the plant enters its fruiting stage, which is scheduled to begin in October and conclude within the same month. Regarding the movement of its seeds, the species utilizes an autochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning it relies on self-dispersal mechanisms to distribute its progeny.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

Feb

Fruiting time :

Oct

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Landolphia owariensis has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. Ecology of food and nutrition

Leaf

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Chemicals

Landolphia owariensis has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Saponins, Tannins.

Flavonoids

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Saponins

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Tannins

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Preparations