Lannea nigritana

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Lannea nigricana, exhibits a specific distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented within the borders of Benin, where it thrives in local ecosystems. Furthermore, the species can be found growing throughout the territories of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. It also extends its range into the nation of Guinea. Finally, the geographical footprint of this medicinal plant includes the coastal and inland areas of Ivory Coast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Lannea nigritana is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and ecological positioning, the plant is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting a phanerophyte life form where its buds are elevated well above the ground level. This growth habit ensures its survival and developmental continuity within its natural habitat over a long-term period.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lannea nigritaana is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a tree. This species is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte. In terms of its structural habit, it is a self-supporting plant rather than a climber, liana, or vine. The plant reaches significant dimensions, with an average height of approximately 12 m and a maximum recorded height of about 13.72 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

13.71616679 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lannea nigritaana is characterized by specialized metabolic pathways that support its growth within its native ecological niche, though it lacks the capacity for symbiotic or free-living diazotrophy. Specifically, regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it cannot convert atmospheric nitrogen into biologically available forms and must instead rely on the uptake of nitrates, nitrites, or ammonium from the soil through its root system. Its physiological processes are centered on efficient mineral absorption and carbon assimilation to sustain its structural development and medicinal secondary metabolite production. The absence of nitrogen-fixing capabilities implies a dependency on the nitrogen cycle within the surrounding substrate to maintain its biochemical equilibrium and cellular functions.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lannea nigritana 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 stem.

Stem

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Conditions

Lannea nigritana has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer.

Cancer

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM