Mitragyna inermis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Nauclea inermis
• Adina inermis
• Uncaria inermis
• Nauclea africana
• Platanocarpum africanum
• Nauclea platanocarpa
• Stephegyne africana

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Mitragyna inermis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Gentianales. Finally, it is a member of the Rubiaceae family and is situated within the genus Mitragyna.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Mitragyna inermis, is primarily located within the West Tropical Africa region. Its specific geographical presence includes the nation of Benin, where it grows in local ecosystems. The species is also documented throughout Burkina and the Gambia. Furthermore, its distribution extends into the territories of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. These combined locations highlight its importance across various West African landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Mitragyna inermis is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain a long-term presence in its natural habitat. In terms of its structural growth habit, the plant is categorized as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits of both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte classifications, which signifies that its perennating buds are located high above the ground on woody stems or branches. This life form enables the plant to withstand varying environmental conditions by maintaining its primary biomass in elevated, protected structures, supporting its sustained lifecycle over many years.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Mitragyna inermis is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as an independent organism, rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. It is a terrestrial species, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is categorized as self-supporting, meaning it does not require climbing structures such as lianas or vines to maintain its posture. The plant exhibits significant vertical development, with a height ranging from a minimum of approximately 6.10 meters to a maximum of roughly 12.19 meters, maintaining an average height of 12 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12.19214826 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Plant height min:

6.096074128 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Mitragyna inermis is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutrient assimilation strategies. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme Rubisco during the Calvin cycle, a process typical of most woody tropical species. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic interactions, Mitragyna inermis is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil rather than establishing symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Mitragyna inermis has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Scientific reports
2. Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports
3. Heliyon

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Mitragyna inermis has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Condensed Tannins, Stilbenes, arjungenin, ellagic acid.

Flavonoids

1. Scientific reports
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Condensed Tannins

1. Scientific reports

Stilbenes

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

arjungenin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

ellagic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Mitragyna inermis has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, Antimalarial, Antioxidant, Antiviral.

Anthelmintic

1. Heliyon

Antimalarial

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Antioxidant

1. Heliyon

Antiviral

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Mitragyna inermis has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, Malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, liver diseases.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations