Manila Leea

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Manila Leea

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Leea aurantiaca
• Leea maculata
• Leea euphlebia
• Leea sambucina var. arborea
• Leea guineensis f. comoriensis
• Leea lucida
• Leea guineensis f. longifoliolata
• Leea guineensis f. monticola
• Leea guineensis f. orientalis
• Leea laeta
• Leea guineensis f. spiculata
• Leea guineensis f. truncata
• Leea acuminata
• Leea wrightii
• Leea bulusanensis
• Leea parvifoliola
• Leea parva
• Leea papillosa
• Leea pallidifolia
• Leea negrosensis
• Leea palawanensis
• Leea luzonensis
• Leea schomburgkii
• Leea sambucina var. punctata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Leea guineensis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Vitales and the family Vitaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is established within the genus Leea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the region of West Tropical Africa. It can be found growing naturally in the territory of Benin. Furthermore, its presence extends into the country of Burkina. The species is also documented within the borders of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, the distribution of this medicinal plant includes the nation of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Leea guineensis is characterized by its preference for specific successional environments, primarily thriving within forest gaps and areas of secondary regrowth where light availability is higher. This species occupies a diverse altitudinal gradient, establishing itself across a broad range of elevations. Its distribution begins at a minimum elevation of 300 m AMSL and extends upward to a maximum elevation of 1300 m AMSL, allowing it to inhabit various montane and lowland ecological niches within its range.

Elevational range max:

1300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest gaps and secondary regrowth

Life history

The life history of Leea guineensis is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit and survival strategy. The plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that it retains its foliage throughout the year to maximize photosynthetic activity. Its morphological classification as a phanerophyte is further supported by its robust structural development, which facilitates its long-term presence within its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Leea guineensis is characterized by a woody growth habit, manifesting primarily as a shrub or a tree. This species typically reaches a mean plant height of 4 m, though it can grow to a maximum height of approximately 6.1 m. It is a terrestrial plant, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. Regarding its structural support, the plant is classified as self-supporting, lacking the climbing mechanisms associated with vines or lianas.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6.096074128 m

Plant height mean:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of Leea guineensis are notably defined by its leaf morphology and nutritional processes. The foliage exhibits significant variability in size, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 15 cm, maintaining an average length of approximately 10 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width shows a broad spectrum, with measurements spanning from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 8 cm, resulting in a mean leaf width of 5.25 cm. Regarding its metabolic nitrogen acquisition, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of nitrogen from the soil through its root system rather than through symbiotic nitrogen-fixing processes.

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length mean:

10 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

8 cm

Leaf width mean:

5.25 cm

Leaf width min:

2.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Leea guineensis is characterized by a specific seasonal cycle and specialized dispersal mechanisms. The flowering period for this species is concentrated around July, though the timing can be variable across different environments. Following the flowering stage, the fruit production cycle also aligns with a peak around July, which can similarly exhibit temporal variability. Once the fruits are mature, the plant utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome to spread its progeny. Specifically, it employs endozoochorous dispersal, a process where seeds are consumed by animals and subsequently dispersed through their digestive tracts, ensuring the plant's ability to colonize new habitats via biotic vectors.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruiting time :

Jul

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Leea guineensis has 6 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Cardiovascular, Cytotoxic.

Anticancer

1. Heliyon

Antidiabetic

1. Heliyon

Antimicrobial

1. Heliyon

Cardiovascular

1. Heliyon

Cytotoxic

1. Heliyon

Hepatoprotective

1. Heliyon

Conditions

Leea guineensis has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antidiabetic.

Antidiabetic

1. Heliyon