Macaranga schweinfurthii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Macaranga rosea
• Macaranga lecomtei
• Macaranga calophylla

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Macaranga schweinfurthii, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Euphorbiaceae and falls under the genus Macaranga.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Macaranga schweinfurtii, is primarily located within the West Tropical Africa region. Its geographical presence is clearly established across several specific countries in this zone. For instance, it can be found growing in the territories of Benin and Burkina. The species also extends its range into the coastal and inland areas of Guinea and Ivory Coast. Finally, its distribution continues eastward into the nation of Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Macaranga schweinfurtii is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems or branches, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit and survival strategy. This phanerophyte life form ensures that the plant can maintain its stature and structural integrity over time, contributing to its long-term presence within its ecological niche.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Macaranga schweinfurtii is characterized by its growth form as a substantial tree, reaching an average height of approximately 17.5 meters. It is a woody plant that functions as a self-supporting structure, rather than acting as a liana, vine, or climber. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, and it grows as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

17.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Macaranga schweinfurtii is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The morphological aspects of its foliage reveal substantial surface area for light interception, with a mean leaf length of 46 cm and a mean leaf width of 37 cm. Despite this large surface area, the leaves are remarkably delicate, maintaining a mean thickness of only 0.05 mm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, relying instead on the uptake of nitrogen from the soil.

Leaf length mean:

46 cm

Leaf thickness mean:

0.05 mm

Leaf width mean:

37 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Macaranga schweinfurtii is characterized by specific biological mechanisms and seed morphology. In terms of pollination dynamics, self-fertilization is absent in this species. The dispersal syndrome of the plant is classified as autochorous, meaning the seeds are dispersed by mechanisms inherent to the plant itself rather than through external agents like wind, water, or animals. The physical characteristics of the seeds are highly defined, featuring a mean seed length of 6.7 mm. Furthermore, the seeds exhibit specific dimensional limits, reaching a maximum seed height of 5.5 mm and a maximum seed width of 5.5 mm.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Seed height max:

5.5 mm

Seed length mean:

6.7 mm

Seed width max:

5.5 mm

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Macaranga schweinfurthii 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. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Macaranga schweinfurthii has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Schweinfurthin A, schweinfurthin I, schweinfurthin J.

Schweinfurthin A

1. Journal of natural products

schweinfurthin I

1. Journal of natural products

schweinfurthin J

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Macaranga schweinfurthii has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antineoplastic, Cytotoxic.

Antineoplastic

1. Journal of natural products

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of natural products

Medicinal Uses

Macaranga schweinfurthii has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antineoplastic.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations