Cromwo

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• cromwo

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Heeria insignis
• Toxicodendron insigne
• Anaphrenium insigne

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Anacardiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Ozoroa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Ozoroa insignis, is found across several regions within West Tropical Africa. Its natural range includes the country of Benin, where it plays a role in the local ecosystem. It is also distributed throughout Burkina, extending its presence further into the West African landscape. In addition to these areas, the species can be located in Ghana and Gambia. Finally, the geographical reach of this medicinal plant extends to Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ozoroa insignis is characterized by its preference for wooded grassland environments, where it is frequently found colonizing rocky hillslope habitats. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to varying altitudes, occupying an elevational range that begins at 245 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 1525 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1525 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

245 m AMSL

Habitat :

wooded grassland, often on rocky hillslopes

Life history

The life history of Ozoroa insignis is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that defines its life form. Specifically, it functions as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, indicating a growth habit where the permanent parts of the plant are held aloft, ensuring long-term survival and structural stability within its ecological niche.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ozoroa insignis is characterized by a woody growth form that predominantly manifests as a tree or shrub. This species is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant variability in plant height, with minimum measurements recorded at 0.5 m, a maximum of 8 m, and a mean height of approximately 9 m. While it possesses a robust, woody structure, its habit is classified as self-supporting rather than being a climbing liana or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height mean:

9 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ozoroa insignis is characterized by a specific metabolic framework and nutrient acquisition strategy. The species utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it fixes carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle using the enzyme RuBisCO, which is typical for most woody tropical plants growing in shaded or humid environments. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, as it lacks the specialized root nodules containing diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. Consequently, its growth and physiological development are heavily dependent on the availability of nitrogen present in the soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ozoroa insignis is characterized by a specific set of biological mechanisms and seed characteristics. The species does not exhibit self-fertilization, as the trait is noted to be absent, suggesting a reliance on cross-pollination to ensure genetic diversity. Its dispersal strategy is classified under the zoochorous syndrome, specifically utilizing endozoochory, where seeds are dispersed through the digestive tracts of animals. The resulting seeds exhibit notable variability in weight; they possess a mean seed mass of approximately 0.138615 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.05334 g to a maximum of 0.21224 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Seed mass max:

0.21224 g

Seed mass mean:

0.138615 g

Seed mass min:

0.05334 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ozoroa insignis 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 leaf, rhizome, root.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rhizome

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Ozoroa insignis has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ANACARDIC ACID, Ginkgoic acid, Isoquercetin, Kampferol, RUTIN.

ANACARDIC ACID

1. Fitoterapia

Ginkgoic acid

1. Fitoterapia

Isoquercetin

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Kampferol

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

RUTIN

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

myricetin

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

quercetin

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Activities

Ozoroa insignis has 1 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic.

Anthelmintic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Ozoroa insignis has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include aging, cancer, malaria, parasitic diseases, snakebite envenomation.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations