Markhamia tomentosa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dolichandrone tomentosa
• Spathodea tomentosa
• Markhamia sessilis
• Muenteria tomentosa

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found throughout the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, its presence has been documented within the borders of Benin. It is also naturally distributed across the country of Burkina. Furthermore, the species can be located in Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, its geographical range extends into the nation of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Markhamia tomentoza is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a growth form where the perennating buds are located high above the ground on woody stems. Within this classification, it exhibits traits consistent with both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, indicating a perennial life cycle where the plant maintains structural integrity through woody development. This life history allows the species to endure seasonal variations by protecting its vital regenerative tissues within elevated branches, ensuring survival through successive growing seasons as it establishes its presence in its natural habitat.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Markhamia tomentoosa is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 20 m. It is a terrestrial species, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. Unlike climbing vines or lianas, this plant is self-supporting in its structural development, maintaining a robust and upright stature.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Markhamia tomentoza is primarily characterized by its C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic process where the first stable product of carbon fixation is a three-carbon molecule. This pathway involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells during the Calvin cycle. As a C3 plant, its physiological efficiency is highly dependent on environmental conditions, particularly temperature and moisture availability, as the enzyme RuBisCO is susceptible to photorespiration when stomata close to conserve water in arid conditions. Furthermore, the plant's physiological processes include specialized secondary metabolism, involving the synthesis of various bioactive compounds that serve defensive and adaptive functions within its tissues.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Markhamia tomentoosa is characterized by a highly flexible phenological cycle, as the timing for both its flowering and fruiting stages is notably variable. The flowering process does not adhere to a rigid seasonal schedule, with the flowering start and end periods being variable throughout the year, potentially occurring in any month from January through December. Similarly, the fruiting cycle exhibits significant temporal variability; the onset of fruit development and its eventual conclusion are also variable, spanning the entire calendar year from January to December. This adaptability in its reproductive timing suggests that the plant can respond dynamically to environmental cues, allowing for staggered or continuous flowering and fruiting cycles across different months.

Flowering time :

variable

Fruiting time :

variable

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Markhamia tomentosa 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. Pharmaceutical biology

Chemicals

Markhamia tomentosa has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Lignans, Phytosterols, Terpenoids.

Flavonoids

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Lignans

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Phytosterols

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Terpenoids

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Activities

Markhamia tomentosa has 6 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antifungal, Antiinflammatory, Antiprotozoal, Antiviral.

Analgesic

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Antifungal

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Antiinflammatory

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Antiprotozoal

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Antiviral

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Cytotoxic

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Conditions

Markhamia tomentosa has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Pharmaceutical biology