Melia volkensii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Sapindales and the family Meliaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Melia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several key regions within the Northeast and East Tropical Africa sectors. Specifically, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Ethiopia and Somalia within Northeast Tropical Africa. Moving further south, its range extends into the East Tropical Africa region. Within this eastern zone, the species is notably present in both Kenya and Tanzania. Consequently, its geographical footprint covers a significant portion of the Horn of Africa and its neighboring territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Melia volkensii is characterized by its existence as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem over many years. Throughout its developmental stages, the plant exhibits a deciduous growth habit, shedding its leaves periodically, which is often an adaptive strategy to manage water loss in its natural environment.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Melia volkensii is characterized by its growth form as a tree, which exhibits a woody structure throughout its development. This species typically reaches a plant height with a mean value of approximately 15 m. Regarding its structural habit, it is classified as a self-supporting plant, rather than functioning as an obligatory or facultative climber.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Melia volkensii is characterized by specialized adaptations to arid and semi-arid environments, particularly regarding its metabolic efficiency and resource acquisition. A key physiological distinction of this species is that it is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form; instead, it relies on the uptake of mineralized nitrogen from the soil through its extensive root system. To survive in nutrient-poor and water-limited landscapes, the plant exhibits significant drought-tolerance mechanisms, including optimized stomatal control to minimize transpiration and a robust carbon assimilation process that allows for sustained growth during intermittent periods of moisture. Its physiological framework is further defined by a deep taproot system that facilitates access to lower soil horizons, supporting a high water-use efficiency and maintaining cellular turgor during prolonged dry seasons.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Melia volkensii is characterized by biotic pollination mechanisms, specifically relying on animal vectors to facilitate fertilization. The pollination syndrome is primarily driven by insects, with bees playing a significant role in the transfer of pollen. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces seeds that exhibit considerable variability in size. The seed mass ranges from a minimum of 0.0212 g to a maximum of 0.70225 g, with an overall mean seed mass of approximately 0.361725 g.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.70225 g

Seed mass mean:

0.361725 g

Seed mass min:

0.0212 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Melia volkensii has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, seed.

Root

1. Journal of natural products
2. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

Seed

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Melia volkensii has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,3-diacetylvilasinin, 12beta-hydroxykulactone, 16,23,24-triketomelianin B, 6beta-hydroxykulactone, KULACTONE.

1,3-diacetylvilasinin

1. Journal of natural products

12beta-hydroxykulactone

1. Journal of natural products

16,23,24-triketomelianin B

1. Journal of natural products

6beta-hydroxykulactone

1. Journal of natural products

KULACTONE

1. Journal of natural products

Kulonate

1. Journal of natural products

melianin B

1. Journal of natural products

melianin C

1. Journal of natural products

meliavolkinin

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Melia volkensii has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Melia volkensii has 2 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include root bark, methanolic extracts of seeds.

Root bark

1. Journal of natural products
2. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

Methanolic extracts of seeds

1. Journal of natural products