Pachyelasma tessmannii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is recorded within the borders of Nigeria. Moving into West-Central Tropical Africa, the species can be found in the Central African Republic. Its range further extends through Cameroon and into the Congo. Additionally, the geographical footprint of this medicinal plant includes Equatorial Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Pachyelasma tessmannii is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a perennial species, it establishes a stable presence within its ecological niche, undergoing various stages of vegetative growth and reproductive cycles over an extended duration. This long-term survival strategy enables the plant to recover from seasonal fluctuations and accumulate the necessary resources to support periodic flowering and seed production, contributing to its long-term stability within its native habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pachyelasma tessmannii is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree with a growth form that is entirely self-supporting rather than acting as a climber or liana. This species exhibits a significant vertical presence, reaching a mean plant height of 50 m, with a maximum recorded height of approximately 60.96 m. As a terrestrial organism, it does not inhabit aquatic or semiaquatic environments, nor does it function as an epiphyte. Furthermore, the plant is an independent species, lacking parasitic tendencies, and maintains a robust, woody structure throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

60.96074128 m

Plant height mean:

50 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pachyelasma tessmannii is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide during the light-independent reactions. Unlike plants that employ C4 or CAM metabolic adaptations to minimize photorespiration or conserve water, this species relies on the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (such as rhizobia) required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, necessitating the uptake of nitrates or ammonium directly from the soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Pachyelasma tessmannii 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 root.

Root

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Preparations

Pachyelasma tessmannii has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanol extract of the root bark.

Methanol extract of the root bark

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry