Tigerwood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Tigerwood
• Wild Peper Tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Anasyllis angustifolia
• Anasyllis latifolia
• Loxostylis latifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales and the family Anacardiaceae, it is classified under the genus Loxostylis. Specifically, the species is identified as Loxostylis alatata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily located within the southern regions of the African continent. Specifically, its presence is well-documented across the various Cape Provinces. Furthermore, it can be found extending into the coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal. This distribution highlights its preference for the unique climates found in these specific southern territories. Consequently, these two regions serve as the primary habitats for the species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Loxostylis alatas is defined by its broad adaptability across diverse topographical gradients, allowing it to inhabit a significant variety of environmental conditions. This species occupies a wide altitudinal spectrum, ranging from low-lying coastal or valley regions at an elevation of 90 m AMSL to more elevated montane environments reaching a maximum of 1350 m AMSL. This extensive elevational range suggests that the plant can tolerate varying temperature regimes, atmospheric pressures, and moisture levels, facilitating its presence in both subtropical lowland habitats and higher-altitude ecological niches. Such distribution patterns indicate a resilient ecological strategy that enables the species to thrive across different successional stages and microclimates within its native range.

Elevational range max:

1350 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

90 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Loxoistylis alata is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a long-lived species, it undergoes various developmental stages that facilitate long-term survival and reproductive stability within its ecological niche. This perennial nature enables the plant to establish robust structural frameworks, supporting sustained growth and the periodic production of reproductive organs over an extended duration.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Loxostylis alata is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically developing as a self-supporting shrub. It is a terrestrial species, existing independently of other plants without functioning as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant vertical development, with a height ranging from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 10 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Loxostylis alatata is fundamentally characterized by its C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism in which carbon fixation occurs through the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells. Unlike C4 or CAM plants, this species does not utilize specialized Kranz anatomy or nocturnal acid accumulation for carbon sequestration, relying instead on the standard Calvin cycle to convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into organic compounds. This C3 metabolism dictates its metabolic efficiency and water-use strategy, as the plant must balance gas exchange through its stomata to maintain photosynthetic rates while managing the inherent risk of photorespiration, particularly in environments where temperature and light intensity fluctuate. Consequently, its physiological performance and biomass accumulation are closely tied to the availability of moisture and the ambient thermal conditions that influence the efficiency of its enzymatic processes.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Loxostylis alata is characterized by specific seed morphology and dispersal mechanisms. The plant produces seeds with a highly uniform mass, as evidenced by a mean, maximum, and minimum seed mass all recorded at 0.02151 g. Regarding its reproductive strategy for spreading, the species utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning its seeds are primarily dispersed by the wind.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Seed mass mean:

0.02151 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Loxostylis alata 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. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Chemicals

Loxostylis alata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Delicaflavone.

Delicaflavone

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Activities

Loxostylis alata has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antimicrobial

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Antioxidant

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Conditions

Loxostylis alata has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Salmonella Typhimurium.

Salmonella typhimurium

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Preparations

Loxostylis alata has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Loxostylis alata leaf extract, extracts.

Loxostylis alata leaf extract

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Extracts

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies