Markhamia lutea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Spathodea lutea
• Markhamia hildebrandtii
• Markhamia platycalyx
• Muenteria lutea
• Dolichandrone platycalyx
• Dolichandrone lutea
• Dolichandrone hildebrandtii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales, it is further categorized into the family Bignoniaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Markhamia, which includes the specific species Markhamia lutea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found growing within the borders of Ghana and Ivory Coast. Its presence extends further east through Togo and into Nigeria. Additionally, the species reaches into West-Central Tropical Africa. Specifically, one documented location for this medicinal plant is Burundi.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Markhamia lutea is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive shoots are elevated well above the ground, typically manifesting as a large tree structure. The species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, retaining its foliage to support continuous physiological processes throughout its life cycle.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

Morphologically, Markhamia lutea is characterized as a woody tree that functions as a self-supporting growth form. It is a terrestrial species and operates as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. The plant exhibits significant vertical development, with a recorded height ranging from a minimum of approximately 4.57 meters to a maximum of about 9.14 meters, though it maintains a mean plant height of approximately 13.67 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

9.144111192 m

Plant height mean:

13.6666666666667 m

Plant height min:

4.572055596 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Markhamia lutea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency under typical environmental conditions. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Markhamia lutea is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily facilitated by insects, with bees serving as a key pollinator. The fruiting cycle of this species is highly flexible, with the fruiting period beginning in January and concluding in January, though it can be categorized as variable throughout the year. The resulting seeds are characterized by a relatively small mass, with a mean seed mass of 0.02055 g. Individual seed weights vary within a specific range, reaching a minimum of 0.013 g and a maximum of 0.02841 g.

Fruiting time :

Jan

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.02841 g

Seed mass mean:

0.02055 g

Seed mass min:

0.013 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Markhamia lutea has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, stem.

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Stem

1. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences

Chemicals

Markhamia lutea has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, LUTEOSIDE A, LUTEOSIDE B, LUTEOSIDE C, Lignans.

Flavonoids

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

LUTEOSIDE A

1. Journal of natural products

LUTEOSIDE B

1. Journal of natural products

LUTEOSIDE C

1. Journal of natural products

Lignans

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Phytosterols

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Terpenoids

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Verbascoside

1. Journal of natural products

isoverbascoside

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Markhamia lutea has 6 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiviral, Analgesic, Antifungal, Antiinflammatory, Antiprotozoal.

Antiviral

1. Journal of natural products
2. Pharmacognosy reviews

Analgesic

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Antifungal

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Antiinflammatory

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Antiprotozoal

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Cytotoxic

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Conditions

Markhamia lutea has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include respiratory syncytial virus.

Respiratory syncytial virus

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Markhamia lutea has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include roots.

Roots

1. Journal of natural products