Picralima nitida

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tabernaemontana nitida
• Picralima klaineana

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 Gentianales, it is classified under the family Apocynaceae and is identified by the genus Picralima. Specifically, it is known as Picralima nitida.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Picralima nitida, is distributed across several nations within the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, it can be found growing in the natural habitats of Benin and Ghana. Its geographical range also extends into the territories of Guinea and Ivory Coast. Furthermore, the species is well-documented within the borders of Nigeria. Collectively, these locations define its primary ecological presence in West Africa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Picralima nitida is characterized by its long-term survival and structural dominance within its ecosystem. As a perennial species, it maintains its presence across multiple years, ensuring stability in its natural habitat. In terms of its growth habit and architectural strategy, the plant is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting life forms consistent with phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte classifications, meaning its perennating buds are elevated well above the ground on woody stems or branches.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Picralima nitida is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree with a growth form that is strictly self-supporting rather than acting as a liana or vine. This terrestrial species exhibits significant variation in its physical dimensions, with plant heights ranging from a minimum of approximately 2.74 meters to a maximum of approximately 22.86 meters, maintaining an average height of around 17.5 meters. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a robust, woody structure that supports its significant vertical development within its terrestrial habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

22.86027798 m

Plant height mean:

17.5 m

Plant height min:

2.743233358 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Picralima nitida is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutritional processes, primarily operating through a C3 photosynthetic pathway. This means the plant utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide, a common mechanism in many tropical woody species that facilitates growth in humid environments. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on the assimilation of nitrogen from the soil through its root system rather than through symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Picralima nitida is characterized by a highly flexible phenological pattern, as its flowering time is variable and can occur across any month of the year, spanning from January through December. The reproductive process relies on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically utilizing animal vectors to facilitate fertilization. The primary mechanism for pollen transfer is through insects, which serve as the principal pollinators for the species.

Flowering time :

variable

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Picralima nitida has 5 reported plant parts identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed, fruit, stem, leaf, root.

Seed

1. African health sciences
2. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
3. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
4. European journal of pharmacology
5. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fruit

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
2. Journal of analytical & pharmaceutical research
3. African journal of medicine and medical sciences
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Stem

1. Journal of herbal pharmacotherapy
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Picralima nitida has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Steroids, Tannins, polyphenols, Akuammicine.

Flavonoids

1. Frontiers in nutrition
2. TheScientificWorldJournal

Steroids

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine
2. TheScientificWorldJournal

Tannins

1. Frontiers in nutrition
2. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

polyphenols

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
2. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Akuammicine

1. European journal of pharmacology

Akuammidine

1. European journal of pharmacology

Akuammine

1. European journal of pharmacology

Anthraquinones

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

PSEUDOAKUAMMIGINE

1. European journal of pharmacology

Phenols

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Activities

Picralima nitida has 10 reported activities identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant.

Antimicrobial

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine
2. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Analgesic

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Antibacterial

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antidiabetic

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antioxidant

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antiplasmodial

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Antiprotozoal

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Antipyretic

1. African journal of medicine and medical sciences

Antiulcer

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Hypotensive

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Medicinal Uses

Picralima nitida has 19 reported medicinal uses identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, fever, gastrointestinal disorders, Diabetes mellitus, Malaria.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations