Mallotus oppositifolius

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Echinus oppositifolius
• Croton oppositifolius
• Claoxylon cordifolium
• Mallotus chevalieri
• Acalypha dentata
• Rottlera dentata
• Mallotus oppositifolius f. dentatus
• Mallotus oppositifolius var. glabratus
• Mallotus oppositifolius f. glabratus
• Mallotus oppositifolius var. integrifolius
• Mallotus oppositifolius f. lindicus
• Mallotus oppositifolius var. lindicus
• Mallotus oppositifolius f. polycytotrichus
• Mallotus oppositifolius var. pubescens
• Mallotus oppositifolius f. pubescens

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Malpighiales and the family Euphorbiaceae. Within this framework, its specific taxonomic designation is the genus Mallotus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Mallotus oppositifolius, is found across several specific regions within West Tropical Africa. Its documented presence includes the nation of Benin, where it grows in local ecosystems. The species is also distributed throughout Burkina Faso, contributing to its regional importance. Furthermore, its geographical range extends to the coastal and inland areas of Ghana and Guinea. Finally, the plant can be found in the Gambia, completing its spread across these western territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Mallotus oppositifolius is characterized by its preference for specific forest environments, where it is most frequently found occupying the margins of both dry and moist forests. While it thrives in these transitional forest zones, it is less commonly observed in coastal bush habitats. This distribution suggests a tendency to colonize edges where light availability and moisture levels fluctuate between the denser forest interior and more open surroundings.

Habitat :

dry or moist forest (margins), less often in coastal bush

Life history

The life history of Mallotus oppositifolius is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategies, it exhibits a dual classification of life forms, functioning as both a phanerophyte, where its buds are borne on aerial branches well above the ground, and a nanophanerophyte, indicating a tendency toward smaller, woody growth habits.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Mallotus oppositifolius is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a shrub. This plant is a self-supporting species that does not function as a climber or a liana, and it maintains an independent life cycle rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. As a terrestrial organism, it exhibits significant variation in stature, with plant heights ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of approximately 12.19 meters, resulting in an average height of approximately 4.83 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12.19214826 m

Plant height mean:

4.83333333333333 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Mallotus oppositifolius is characterized by complex metabolic processes typical of tropical woody species, involving efficient photosynthetic pathways and specialized secondary metabolite production. Its nutrient acquisition strategies rely on standard soil uptake mechanisms rather than symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria, as it is not a nitrogen fixer. Consequently, its nitrogen assimilation is strictly dependent on the availability of nitrates and ammonium within the soil matrix, without the capacity for atmospheric nitrogen fixation (trait_1: no). The plant's physiological resilience is often tied to its ability to synthesize diverse bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols and terpenoids, which serve as metabolic defenses against herbivory and environmental stressors. Furthermore, its transpiration rates and stomatal conductance are finely tuned to regulate water potential and gas exchange, ensuring metabolic stability in its native ecological niches.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproductive cycle of Mallotus oppositifolius is characterized by a specific phenological pattern and biotic pollination mechanisms. Flowering typically commences in February and concludes in March, though the overall reproductive timing can be variable. The plant relies on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically utilizing insects, with bees identified as a key pollinator. Notably, self-fertilization is absent in this species, necessitating cross-pollination to ensure genetic diversity. Following the flowering period, the fruiting stage occurs on a variable schedule throughout the year. The resulting fruits are characterized by a dry texture. The seeds produced during this process are uniform in size, maintaining a consistent seed volume with a minimum, maximum, and mean value of 34 mm³.

Flowering time :

Feb

Flowering time :

Mar

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruiting time :

variable

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed volume max:

34 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Mallotus oppositifolius has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthocyanins, Flavonoids, Steroids, Tannins, haf.

Anthocyanins

1. The West Indian medical journal

Flavonoids

1. The West Indian medical journal

Steroids

1. The West Indian medical journal

Tannins

1. The West Indian medical journal

haf

1. African journal of medicine and medical sciences

Activities

Mallotus oppositifolius has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial.

Antibacterial

1. Fitoterapia

Medicinal Uses

Mallotus oppositifolius has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Aspergillus flavus, Candida albicans, dysentery, gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive bacteria.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations