Buttertree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Buttertree
• kanya
• tallowtree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pentadesma leucantha
• Pentadesma parviflora
• Pentadesma lecomteana
• Pentadesma leptonema
• Pentadesma nigritana
• Pentadesma kerstingii
• Pentadesma ogoouensis
• Pentadesma leptonema var. klainei

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Pentadesma butyracea, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is classified under the family Clusiaceae and the genus Pentadesma.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Pentadesma butyracea, exhibits a specific range across the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented throughout several key nations within this geographical belt. Specifically, the species can be found growing in the territories of Benin and Burkina. It also extends its distribution into the countries of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, the plant is recorded as being part of the natural flora in Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Pentadesma butyracea is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its buds well above the ground level, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit and survival strategy. Furthermore, it exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pentadesma butyracea is characterized by its robust, woody growth form, functioning as a large tree that can reach significant dimensions. It is a terrestrial species that grows independently, without acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits substantial height, with recorded measurements ranging from a maximum of approximately 22.86 meters to an average height of 25 meters. Unlike climbing lianas or vines, this species is self-supporting, maintaining a sturdy and upright structural integrity.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

22.86027798 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pentadesma butyracea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle for carbon fixation during the light-independent reactions. In terms of nutrient acquisition and metabolic processes, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pentadesma butyracea is characterized by a specialized fruit and seed profile designed for effective propagation. The plant produces fruit classified as a berry, which is indehiscent, meaning the fruit does not split open at maturity to release its contents. The seeds within are substantial, possessing a consistent seed mass of 33.333 g and a uniform seed volume of 14,000 mm³. The pollination process follows an "other" syndrome, indicating a mechanism that falls outside the standard categories of wind, water, or common vertebrate pollinators. Following fertilization, the dispersal of the seeds is zoochorous, relying on animals to transport the fruit or seeds to new locations.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit type :

berry

Pollination syndrome :

other

Seed mass mean:

33.333 g

Seed volume max:

14000 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Pentadesma butyracea 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 stem.

Stem

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Pentadesma butyracea has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Lupeol.

Lupeol

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Pentadesma butyracea has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include breast cancer.

Breast cancer

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Pentadesma butyracea has 3 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include bark decoctions, extracts, stem bark.

Bark decoctions

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Extracts

1. PloS one

Stem bark

1. Journal of natural products