Blue Currybush

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Blue Currybush

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Passerina cephalophora
• Lasiosiphon eriocephalus
• Lasiosiphon eriocephalus var. zeylanicus
• Gnidia hugelii
• Lasiosiphon huegelii
• Lasiosiphon rivae
• Lasiosiphon metzianus
• Gnidia eriocephala
• Lasiosiphon speciosus
• Gnidia volkensii
• Gnidia glauca
• Gnidia rivae
• Lachnaea sphaerocephala

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malvales. Finally, it is a member of the family Thymelaeaceae and falls under the genus Lasiosiphon.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is specifically noted within Nigeria. Moving into West-Central Tropical Africa, the species can be found in both Cameroon and the DR Congo. The distribution extends into Northeast Tropical Africa, where it inhabits Ethiopia. Finally, its range reaches into the Sudan and South Sudan areas of the northeast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Lasiosiphon glaucus is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a perennial, the plant does not complete its life cycle within a single year like annuals, nor does it follow a two-year cycle typical of biennials; instead, it establishes a long-term presence by regenerating through successive seasons. This extended lifespan enables the plant to endure varying environmental conditions and establish a stable population within its habitat, contributing to its long-term ecological presence.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lasiosiphon glaucus is characterized by its significant stature and robust structural development, typically reaching a plant height of approximately 8 m. It exhibits a growth form classified as a tree, supported by a distinctly woody constitution. In terms of its climbing habit, the species functions as a liana, demonstrating a capacity for vine-like growth while maintaining a self-supporting nature.

Climber :

liana

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Plant height mean:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lasiosiphon glaucus is characterized by its metabolic processes and nutritional strategies, specifically regarding its interaction with soil nutrients. In terms of its nitrogen metabolism, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable biological form. Consequently, its physiological growth and development are strictly dependent on the availability of inorganic nitrogen sources, such as nitrates and ammonium, present within the soil substrate. This reliance dictates its nutrient uptake mechanisms and its role within its ecological niche, as it must actively absorb nitrogen through its root system to support protein synthesis and other vital cellular functions.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lasiosiphon glaucus has 3 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, flower, stem.

Leaf

1. Pharmaceutical nanotechnology
2. Heliyon
3. Advances in pharmacological sciences

Flower

1. Advances in pharmacological sciences

Stem

1. Advances in pharmacological sciences

Chemicals

Lasiosiphon glaucus has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Diphenyl sulfone, Flavonoid, Flavonoids, Harmidine, Octadecanoic acid.

Diphenyl sulfone

1. PloS one

Flavonoid

1. PloS one

Flavonoids

1. Advances in pharmacological sciences

Harmidine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Octadecanoic acid

1. PloS one

Silver nanoparticles

1. Pharmaceutical nanotechnology

n-Hexadecanoic acid

1. PloS one

norcotinine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Lasiosiphon glaucus has 5 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. Pharmaceutical nanotechnology

Anticancer

1. Pharmaceutical nanotechnology

Antidiabetic

1. Advances in pharmacological sciences

Antimicrobial

1. Pharmaceutical nanotechnology

Antioxidant

1. Pharmaceutical nanotechnology

Preparations