Whipstick Loquat

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Whipstick Loquat

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Oxyanthus speciosus subsp. gerrardii
• Oxyanthus speciosus var. mollis
• Oxyanthus speciosus subsp. mollis
• Oxyanthus speciosus subsp. stenocarpus
• Oxyanthus speciosus var. glaber
• Oxyanthus speciosus subsp. globosus
• Oxyanthus speciosus var. pubescens
• Oxyanthus speciosus subsp. speciosus
• Oxyanthus stenocarpus
• Oxyanthus mollis
• Oxyanthus huillensis
• Oxyanthus gerrardii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Oxyanthus speciosus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling under the order Gentianales. Furthermore, it is a member of the Rubiaceae family and is situated within the genus Oxyanthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Oxyanthus speciosus, is primarily distributed throughout the West Tropical Africa region. Its natural range encompasses several specific countries located along the western coast of the continent. Specifically, it can be found growing in the territories of Benin and Gambia. The species also extends its presence into Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, its geographical footprint includes the nation of Guinea, completing its regional distribution.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Oxyanthus speciosus is characterized by a broad vertical distribution across diverse topographical gradients, allowing it to inhabit a wide array of environmental niches. It can be found at various altitudes, ranging from sea level at an elevation of 3 m AMSL to significantly higher montane regions reaching a maximum of 1980 m AMSL. This extensive elevational range suggests that the species possesses a high degree of ecological plasticity, enabling it to adapt to the varying temperature regimes, moisture levels, and atmospheric pressures found between coastal lowlands and high-altitude ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1980 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

3 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Oxyanthus speciosus is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it exhibits a dual classification of life forms, functioning as both a phanerophyte, where its buds are borne on conspicuous branches above the ground, and a nanophanerophyte, indicating a relatively compact growth habit. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and present across successive years without the seasonal shedding of leaves characteristic of deciduous species.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Oxyanthus speciosus is characterized by a woody growth form, functioning primarily as a tree. This terrestrial plant is independent and does not exhibit parasitic or epiphytic lifestyles, maintaining a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a liana or vine. In terms of stature, it displays significant vertical development, with plant height ranging from a minimum of 2 m to a maximum of approximately 15.24 m, maintaining an average height of around 11 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15.24018532 m

Plant height mean:

11 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Oxyanthus speciosus is characterized by specific morphological adaptations and metabolic constraints. The foliage exhibits a distinct structural profile, with leaves maintaining a mean length of 9.2 cm and a mean width of 3.2 cm. These leaves are remarkably thin, possessing a mean thickness of only 0.021 mm, a trait that suggests a high surface-area-to-volume ratio likely optimized for efficient gas exchange and light interception. Regarding its nutrient acquisition strategy, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil through its root system rather than through symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Leaf length mean:

9.2 cm

Leaf thickness mean:

0.021 mm

Leaf width mean:

3.2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Oxyanthus speciosus is characterized by a highly flexible phenological cycle, with flowering and fruiting periods that can occur across various months throughout the year, specifically showing a presence from March, though the full range of seasonality remains variable. The plant produces fruit in the form of a berry, which is indehiscent, meaning it does not split open at maturity to release its seeds. The dispersal of these seeds follows a zoochorous syndrome, relying on animals for distribution throughout its habitat. The seeds themselves are relatively small, possessing a mean length of 5.5 mm, a maximum height of 2 mm, and a maximum width of 3.3 mm.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

Mar

Fruit type :

berry

Fruiting time :

variable

Seed height max:

2 mm

Seed length mean:

5.5 mm

Seed width max:

3.3 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Oxyanthus speciosus 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. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Chemicals

Oxyanthus speciosus has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Lutein, Rotundic acid.

Lutein

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Rotundic acid

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Conditions

Oxyanthus speciosus has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Preparations

Oxyanthus speciosus has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include acetone leaf extract, crude extract.

Acetone leaf extract

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Crude extract

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine