African-Dogrose

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• African-Dogrose
• Fried-Egg Bush
• Fried-egg flower
• Snuffbox-Tree
• snuff-box tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Oncoba monacantha
• Oncoba spinosa var. angolensis
• Lundia monacantha

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Oncoba spinosa, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Malpighiales and the family Salicaceae. Its taxonomic identity is finalized within the genus Oncoba.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Oncoba spinosa, is found across several regions within West Tropical Africa. Its distribution includes the nation of Benin, where it grows in specific ecological zones. It can also be located in Burkina Faso, contributing to the local biodiversity of the area. Furthermore, the species is documented in Gambia and Ghana, spanning a significant portion of the coastal and inland landscapes. Finally, its presence extends to Guinea-Bissau, completing a notable geographical range across the western part of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Oncoba spinosa is characterized by its distribution across diverse topographical landscapes, where it occupies a specific altitudinal niche. This species thrives within an elevational range that begins at a low-lying minimum of 30 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum altitude of 1065 m AMSL. This broad vertical distribution allows the plant to inhabit various ecological zones, ranging from lowland habitats to mid-elevation terrains, where it adapts to the specific moisture levels and temperature gradients present within these varying heights above mean sea level.

Elevational range max:

1065 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

30 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Oncoba spinosa is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence within its native ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit and survival strategy. The plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year, providing a consistent photosynthetic capacity and structural stability across varying seasons.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

Morphologically, Oncoba spinosa is characterized as a woody, self-supporting tree that exhibits an independent growth habit, meaning it does not function as a parasite. As a strictly terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte. The plant's stature is significant, with its height ranging from a minimum of 1.82 meters to a maximum of approximately 12.19 meters, maintaining an average height of about 9 meters. Its growth form is consistently that of a tree, supported by a sturdy, woody structure that allows it to remain self-supporting without the need for climbing or vining mechanisms.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12.19214826 m

Plant height mean:

9 m

Plant height min:

1.82 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Oncoba spinosa is characterized by specific morphological dimensions and nutritional strategies that define its vegetative growth. The foliage typically exhibits a mean leaf length of 6.9 cm and a mean leaf width of 3.9 cm, providing a surface area optimized for light interception. The leaves are notably thin, with a mean thickness of 0.021 mm, which may influence the plant's transpiration rates and gas exchange efficiency. Regarding its nutrient acquisition processes, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil rather than through symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Leaf length mean:

6.9 cm

Leaf thickness mean:

0.021 mm

Leaf width mean:

3.9 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Oncoba spinosa is characterized by the production of seeds with highly specific morphological dimensions and mass profiles. The seeds exhibit a consistent volume, with a mean, minimum, and maximum all recorded at 13 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds vary from a minimum of 0.0094 g to a maximum of 0.01643 g, resulting in a calculated mean seed mass of 0.012936 g. The physical dimensions of the seeds further define their structure, featuring a mean length of 6.9 mm and a maximum width of 3.7 mm. Additionally, the vertical dimension is represented by a maximum seed height of 1.5 mm, providing a comprehensive profile of the seed's physical characteristics essential to its reproductive cycle.

Seed height max:

1.5 mm

Seed length mean:

6.9 mm

Seed mass max:

0.01643 g

Seed mass mean:

0.012936 g

Seed mass min:

0.0094 g

Seed volume max:

13 mm³

Seed width max:

3.7 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Leaf

1. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Oncoba spinosa has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flacourtin.

Flacourtin

1. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Oncoba spinosa has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 95% aqueous methanol, crude extract.

95% aqueous methanol

1. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)

Crude extract

1. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)