Northern Rock Hardpear

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Northern Rock Hardpear

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Polysphaeria ligustriflora
• Tephea aequipetala
• Olinia aequipetala

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Oliinia rochetiaana, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized under the order Myrtales and the family Penaeaceae. Its taxonomic journey concludes within the genus Oliinia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In Northeast Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in Ethiopia as well as throughout the Sudan and South Sudan territories. Its presence extends into East Tropical Africa, where it is documented in Kenya. Furthermore, the species is located within the borders of Tanzania. Finally, its geographical range includes the country of Uganda, completing its presence in East Tropical Africa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Oliina rochetiaana is defined by its distribution across a diverse altitudinal gradient, allowing it to inhabit various montane and sub-montane environmental conditions. This species demonstrates significant ecological plasticity, occupying a broad elevational range that begins at a minimum altitude of 410 m AMSL and extends to a maximum elevation of 2180 m AMSL. This wide vertical distribution suggests that the plant is capable of adapting to fluctuating temperature regimes, varying moisture availability, and shifting atmospheric pressures characteristic of different montane strata. Such a broad range indicates that Oliina rochetiaana can thrive in both lower, potentially warmer tropical or subtropical lowland habitats and higher, more temperate or cloud-forest environments.

Elevational range max:

2180 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

410 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Olinia rochetiana is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years rather than completing its cycle in a single season. As a long-lived woody plant, it follows a developmental trajectory that involves an initial establishment phase, followed by sustained vegetative growth and periodic reproductive cycles. This perennial nature enables the plant to invest significant energy into structural stability and complex root systems, which support its continued existence through varying seasonal conditions. Over its lifespan, the plant undergoes maturation, eventually reaching a stage of reproductive maturity where it contributes to the population through the production of seeds, ensuring the continuity of its lineage across successive generations.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Olinia rochetiaana is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a tree. This species exhibits a significant stature, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 1.2 m to a maximum of 8 m. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial existence rather than an aquatic or semiaquatic one. Furthermore, the plant is described as self-supporting, lacking the climbing mechanisms associated with vines or lianas.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height min:

1.2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Olinia rochetiana is characterized by the production of indehiscent drupes, which serve as the primary fruit type for the species. These fruits possess an average length and width of 0.65 cm, facilitating a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, where animals play a critical role in spreading the seeds. The seeds contained within the fruit exhibit a mean mass of approximately 0.088055 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.04682 g to a maximum of 0.12929 g. Furthermore, the seed volume shows significant variation, with a mean volume of 7.6 mm³, a minimum of 4.2 mm³, and a maximum of 11 mm³, reflecting the morphological diversity of the reproductive units.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit length mean:

0.65 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Fruit width mean:

0.65 cm

Seed mass max:

0.12929 g

Seed mass mean:

0.088055 g

Seed mass min:

0.04682 g

Seed volume max:

11 mm³

Seed volume mean:

7.6 mm³

Seed volume min:

4.2 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Olinia rochetiana has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. ACS omega
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Olinia rochetiana has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Hyperoside, Ursolic acid.

Hyperoside

1. ACS omega

Ursolic acid

1. ACS omega

Medicinal Uses

Olinia rochetiana has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include measles virus.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations