Olax subscorpioidea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Olax durandii
• Ptychopetalum laurentii
• Olax laurentii
• Olax schlechteri

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Olax subscorpioidea, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is further classified under the order Santalales. It is a member of the family Olacaceae and falls under the genus Olax.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Olax subscorpioidea, is primarily distributed throughout the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is specifically documented across several different countries within this tropical zone. For instance, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Benin and Burkina. The species also inhabits various territories in Ghana and Guinea. Finally, its geographical range extends further into the Ivory Coast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Olax subscorpioidea is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over many growing seasons. In terms of its structural development and ecological strategy, it is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting characteristics of both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms, which indicates that its perennating buds are located high above the ground on woody stems or branches.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Olax subscorpioidea is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a shrub or a tree. This plant is a self-supporting species, meaning it does not function as a climber or a vine, and it grows in a terrestrial habitat rather than being aquatic or epiphytic. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a mean height of approximately 4 m, though it has the potential to reach a maximum height of up to 9.144 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

9.144111192 m

Plant height mean:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction cycle of Olax subscorpioidea is characterized by a highly flexible and variable phenological pattern. The flowering period is notably inconsistent, with the flowering start and end times being variable across the calendar year, potentially occurring in any month from January through December. Similarly, the fruiting stage exhibits significant temporal variability; while the onset of fruiting is specifically noted to begin around April, the overall fruiting window remains variable throughout the year, spanning the months from January to December. This adaptability in its reproductive timing allows the plant to navigate diverse seasonal conditions.

Flowering time :

variable

Fruiting time :

Apr

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Olax subscorpioidea has 3 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, stem.

Root

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Seed

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Stem

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Chemicals

Olax subscorpioidea has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Phenols, 4'-O-Methylgallocatechin, Anthraquinones, Flavonoids, OLEANOLIC ACID.

Phenols

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
2. TheScientificWorldJournal

4'-O-Methylgallocatechin

1. Magnetic resonance in chemistry : MRC

Anthraquinones

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Flavonoids

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Santalbic acid

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Steroids

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Tannins

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Triterpenes

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Activities

Olax subscorpioidea has 5 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticonvulsant, Antioxidant, Anxiolytic, Neurosedative, Sedative.

Anticonvulsant

1. Drug research

Antioxidant

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Anxiolytic

1. Drug research

Neurosedative

1. Drug research

Sedative

1. Drug research

Medicinal Uses

Olax subscorpioidea has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, bacterial infections, biofilm, breast cancer, convulsion.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations