African greenheart

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• African greenheart
• false sasswood
• redwood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Piptadenia africana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Fabales and falls into the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Piptadenia (noted as Piptadeniastrum), which characterizes its specific botanical identity.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Psychotria rufoviverra (often referred to in botanical contexts related to Piptadeniastrum studies), exhibits a specific distribution across West Tropical Africa. Its presence is documented within the borders of Benin, where it thrives in local ecosystems. Furthermore, the species can be found extending through the coastal and inland regions of Ghana. The geographical range continues into Guinea, marking another key area of its habitat. Finally, its distribution encompasses the territories of Ivory Coast and Liberia, completing its West African footprint.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Piptadenia strumosa africanum is defined by its preference for stable, undisturbed environments, specifically occurring within primary and old secondary forests. This reliance on mature forest structures suggests that the species requires the specific microclimatic conditions provided by established canopy cover, such as regulated humidity levels, buffered temperature fluctuations, and filtered light regimes. By inhabiting these climax or late-successional forest types, the plant thrives in nutrient-rich soils and complex symbiotic networks typical of ancient woodland ecosystems, making it sensitive to the structural changes and habitat fragmentation often associated with younger, disturbed, or anthropogenic landscapes.

Habitat :

primary and old secondary forest

Life history

The life history of Piptadenia strumosa africanum is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its ecosystem over multiple years rather than completing its cycle in a single season. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits consistent with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms. This indicates that its perennating buds are located well above the ground on aerial shoots, enabling the plant to maintain a stable, long-lived presence within its natural habitat.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Piptadenia strum africanum is characterized by its significant stature and robust structural development. It is a woody tree that exhibits a self-supporting growth form, meaning it does not rely on other structures for climbing or support. This species is strictly terrestrial in its habitat and exists as an independent organism, showing no parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of its vertical dimension, the plant reaches an average height of approximately 32.5 m, though it can attain a maximum height of up to 48.77 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

48.76859303 m

Plant height mean:

32.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Piptadeniastrum africanum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle for carbon fixation, which is typical for many woody tropical species. Furthermore, this plant functions as a nitrogen fixer, possessing the biological capacity to facilitate nitrogen fixation, which enhances its ability to thrive in nutrient-limited environments by converting atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for growth and development.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Piptadenia strumosa africanum is characterized by a complex biological cycle involving specific seasonal timings and specialized ecological interactions. The flowering period is primarily centered around September, though the timing can be variable throughout the year. During this reproductive phase, the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms rather than abiotic factors to facilitate fertilization. Specifically, the pollination process is driven by insects, with bees playing a highly significant role in the transfer of pollen. Following successful pollination, the fruiting stage occurs on a variable schedule, meaning the development and maturation of fruits can fluctuate across different months. Once the fruits are mature, the plant employs an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, utilizing wind as the primary mechanism to transport seeds away from the parent plant to new locations.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruiting time :

variable

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Piptadeniastrum africanum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem, root.

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
3. Biomolecules

Root

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Piptadeniastrum africanum has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Chrysoeriol, ERIODICTYOL, Flavonoids, LOLIOLIDE, Liquiritigenin.

Chrysoeriol

1. Biomolecules

ERIODICTYOL

1. Biomolecules

Flavonoids

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

LOLIOLIDE

1. Biomolecules

Liquiritigenin

1. Biomolecules

Proanthocyanidins

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

SAPONIN

1. Biomolecules

Tannin

1. Biomolecules

apigenin

1. Biomolecules

luteolin

1. Biomolecules

Activities

Piptadeniastrum africanum has 1 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Piptadeniastrum africanum has 9 reported investigations on conditions identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Alzheimer's disease, Loa loa, abdominal pain, bronchitis, malaria.

Alzheimer's disease

1. Biomolecules

Loa loa

1. Parasitology research

Abdominal pain

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Bronchitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Meningitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Tooth sensitivity

1. Odonto-stomatologie tropicale = Tropical dental journal

Toothache

1. Odonto-stomatologie tropicale = Tropical dental journal

Wounds

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Piptadeniastrum africanum has 2 reported preparations identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanolic extracts, water extract.

Methanolic extracts

1. Parasitology research

Water extract

1. Brain and behavior