Oldenlandia affinis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianaales. Finally, it is a member of the Rubiaceae family and is specifically identified by the genus Oldenlandia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Oldenlandia affinis, exhibits a specific distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented within the borders of Benin, where it occupies local ecological niches. The species can also be found extending through the territories of Burkina and Ghana. Furthermore, its geographical range continues into the coastal and inland areas of the Ivory Coast. Finally, the distribution of this medicinal plant is confirmed to include the nation of Liberia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Oldenlandia affinis is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution that allows it to inhabit diverse topographical niches. This species demonstrates significant environmental adaptability, occupying a wide elevational range that begins at as low as 5 m AMSL and extends to a maximum altitude of 1400 m AMSL. This expansive vertical gradient suggests that the plant can thrive in various climatic zones, ranging from lowland coastal or subtropical environments to higher-altitude montane habitats, provided the specific substrate and moisture requirements of its niche are met.

Elevational range max:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

5 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Oldenlandia affinis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategies, it exhibits characteristics consistent with both the chamaephyte and therophyte life forms, reflecting its ability to adapt its stature and survival mechanisms to its specific environmental niche.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Oldenlandia affinis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. This self-supporting, independent plant typically functions as a terrestrial species rather than an aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic one. In terms of stature, it exhibits moderate height variability, with individual plants generally reaching a mean height of approximately 0.60 m, though they can range from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum height of 1.2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height mean:

0.6048037065 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Oldenlandia affinis is characterized by the production of minute seeds that exhibit high uniformity in their physical dimensions. Quantitatively, the reproductive output is defined by a highly consistent seed mass, with a mean value of 4e-05 g. This consistency is reflected across the entire range of the seed population, as both the maximum and minimum recorded seed masses are identical at 4e-05 g. Such precision in seed mass suggests a specialized reproductive strategy involving the dispersal of very small, lightweight propagules that lack significant variation in individual weight.

Seed mass mean:

4e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Oldenlandia affinis has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Uterotonic, Uteroactive.

Uterotonic

1. Biochemistry
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Uteroactive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Oldenlandia affinis has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cognitive disorders, uterine contraction.

Cognitive disorders

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Uterine contraction

1. Biochimica et biophysica acta

Preparations

Oldenlandia affinis has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous decoction, cyclotide-enriched fraction.

Aqueous decoction

1. Biochimica et biophysica acta

Cyclotide-enriched fraction

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology