Maesa lanceolata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Ericales, it is classified under the family Primulaceae. Its taxonomic identity is finalized within the genus Maesa, specifically as the species Maesa lanceolata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Maeassa lanceolata, is primarily found throughout the West Tropical Africa region. Its documented distribution begins in the country of Guinea, where it grows in specific ecological niches. The species also extends its range into Ivory Coast and Liberia, covering significant portions of the West African coastline. Furthermore, its presence is recorded within the borders of Nigeria, representing a key part of its habitat. Finally, the plant's geographical reach is completed by its occurrence in Togo.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Maesa lanceolata is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to occupy a diverse array of environmental niches. This plant can be found across a significant vertical gradient, ranging from sea level at 1 m AMSL to higher montane regions reaching a maximum elevation of 1400 m AMSL. This expansive elevational range suggests an ability to adapt to varying temperature regimes, atmospheric pressures, and moisture levels found throughout different topographical strata.

Elevational range max:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Maesa lanceolata is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy and life form, the species is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits consistent with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte categories, which indicates that its perennating buds are located high above the ground on aerial shoots.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Maesa lanceolata is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, exhibiting a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber, vine, or liana. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The plant displays significant variation in its physical stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 1.2 m to a maximum of 10 m, while the mean plant height is recorded at 24 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

24 m

Plant height min:

1.2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological profile of Maesa lanceolata is characterized by specific morphometric dimensions that define its vegetative structure and surface area dynamics. The leaves exhibit a standardized architectural configuration with a mean length of 10 cm and a mean width of 4.1 cm, establishing a surface-to-volume ratio conducive to efficient light interception and gas exchange. This structural dimension is complemented by a remarkably delicate leaf thickness, which averages 0.014 mm, suggesting a highly specialized adaptation for rapid transpiration and metabolic activity within its ecological niche.

Leaf length mean:

10 cm

Leaf thickness mean:

0.014 mm

Leaf width mean:

4.1 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Maesa lanceolata is characterized by the production of fleshy, berry-type fruits that are indehiscent in nature. These fruits are relatively small and uniform in dimension, with a mean length and width of both 0.6 cm. Within these berries, the seeds exhibit a consistent volume of 0.065 mm³, with a mean seed length of 3.2 mm and a corresponding maximum seed height and width of 3.2 mm. The mass of the seeds varies significantly, ranging from a minimum of 0.00038 g to a maximum of 0.01247 g, with an overall mean seed mass of 0.003435 g. To facilitate the spread of the species, Maesa lanceolata utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, specifically employing endozoochory, where the fleshy fruit encourages consumption by animals to aid in seed dispersal.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length mean:

0.6 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width mean:

0.6 cm

Seed height max:

3.2 mm

Seed length mean:

3.2 mm

Seed mass max:

0.01247 g

Seed mass mean:

0.003435 g

Seed mass min:

0.00038 g

Seed volume max:

0.065 mm³

Seed width max:

3.2 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Maesa lanceolata has 3 reported plant parts identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit, seed.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Inflammopharmacology
3. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
4. Phytochemistry
5. Journal of natural products

Fruit

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Seed

1. Scientific reports

Chemicals

Maesa lanceolata has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Steroids, Terpenoids, Dihydromaesanin, Maesanin, Maesasaponin I.

Steroids

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology
2. Pharmacological research

Terpenoids

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology
2. Pharmacological research

Dihydromaesanin

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

Maesanin

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

Maesasaponin I

1. Phytochemistry

Maesasaponin II

1. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology

SAPONIN

1. Plant cell reports

Saponins

1. Pharmacological research

Activities

Maesa lanceolata has 5 reported activities identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimutagenic, Antiviral, Disinfectant, Hemolytic.

Antibacterial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimutagenic

1. Journal of natural products

Antiviral

1. Planta medica

Disinfectant

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Hemolytic

1. Journal of natural products

Medicinal Uses

Maesa lanceolata has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Herpes simplex virus type 1, anthrax, asthma, backache, elephantiasis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations