Giant Yellow Mulberry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Giant Yellow Mulberry

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 is ordered under Rosales and categorized into the family Urticaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Myrianthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Within this specific area, its presence is noted in the country of Ghana. It can also be found growing in the natural habitats of Guinea. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the Ivory Coast and Liberia. Finally, its geographical reach includes the vast landscapes of Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Myrianthus arboreus is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain long-term presence in its ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that defines its life form and enables it to thrive in various environmental conditions. This phanerophyte classification, consistent across its developmental stages, underscores its robust growth habit and its ability to maintain significant biomass over time.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Myrianthus arboreus is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing behavior, such as a liana or vine, and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. As a terrestrial species, it does not possess aquatic or epiphytic characteristics. In terms of stature, the plant can reach a maximum height of up to 20 m, with an average height typically around 15 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Myrianthus arboreus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide during the light-independent reactions. In addition to its carbon assimilation mechanisms, the plant exhibits specialized nitrogen metabolism, as it functions as a nitrogen fixer, facilitating the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms to support its growth and nutritional requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Myrianthus arboreus is characterized by specific biological mechanisms and morphological traits. The plant does not undergo self-fertilization, as the process is noted to be absent, implying a reliance on cross-pollination for genetic diversity. Its fruit type is classified as "other," falling outside the standard categories of common drupes or berries. Seed dispersal follows a zoochorous syndrome, meaning the seeds are distributed via animals. Regarding the physical dimensions of the seeds, they exhibit a highly consistent size with a minimum, maximum, and mean seed volume all measured at exactly 4300 mm³.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit type :

other

Seed volume max:

4300 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Myrianthus arboreus has 1 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland)
2. SpringerPlus
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Myrianthus arboreus has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Saponins, Ash, CA, CU.

Flavonoids

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM
2. Heliyon

Saponins

1. Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland)
2. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Ash

1. Heliyon

CA

1. Heliyon

CU

1. Heliyon

FE

1. Heliyon

Glycosides

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

MG

1. Heliyon

Ph

1. Heliyon

Phenols

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Medicinal Uses

Myrianthus arboreus has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include atretic follicles, bacterial infections, diarrhea, female infertility, infertility.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations