African-walnut

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• African-walnut
• owusa-nut

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cleidion preussii
• Cleidion mannii
• Mallotus preussii
• Tetracarpidium conophorum
• Tetracarpidium staudtii

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 Malpighiales, it is classified under the family Euphorbiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Plukenetiia, with its specific species being Plukenetiia conophora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several key regions within the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in Benin, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. Moving toward the West-Central Tropical Africa zone, the species can also be found in the Central African Republic. Additionally, it is known to grow within the borders of Cameroon. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's significance across diverse tropical landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Plukenetia conophora is characterized by its growth form as a woody liana, which functions as an obligatory climber. While sometimes described within the broader context of shrub-like growth, its primary habit is that of a climbing vine. The plant exhibits significant vertical development, with a minimum height of approximately 3.05 meters, a mean height of 6 meters, and a maximum height reaching roughly 6.10 meters. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte, establishing itself firmly in the soil to support its woody structure as it ascends.

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6.096074128 m

Plant height mean:

6 m

Plant height min:

3.048037064 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Plukenetia conophora is characterized by a complex metabolic framework geared toward the efficient synthesis and storage of high-density lipids, particularly alpha-linolenic acid, within its large, oil-rich seeds. Its vegetative growth involves robust photosynthetic pathways that support the development of its climbing or scrambling habit, utilizing specialized physiological mechanisms to optimize light interception through its foliage. In terms of nutrient cycling and soil interaction, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, meaning its nitrogen requirements must be met through the uptake of nitrates or ammonium from the soil substrate. This metabolic profile dictates a reliance on soil fertility and organic matter decomposition to sustain its protein synthesis and cellular structural integrity.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Plukenetia conophora 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 seed, leaf.

Seed

1. Journal of food biochemistry
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Bioresource technology

Leaf

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Chemicals

Plukenetia conophora has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Fatty acids, GSH, Omega 3, RICININE, Superoxide dismutase.

Fatty acids

1. Data in brief

GSH

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Omega 3

1. Data in brief

RICININE

1. Journal of food biochemistry

Superoxide dismutase

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

betulinic acid

1. Journal of food biochemistry

vitamin C

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Activities

Plukenetia conophora has 2 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiproliferative, Hepatoprotective.

Antiproliferative

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hepatoprotective

1. Journal of food biochemistry

Conditions

Plukenetia conophora has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, oxidative stress, pain.

Cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Oxidative stress

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Pain

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Plukenetia conophora has 6 reported preparations identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous leaf extract, boiled, dried seeds, paste, seed oil.

Aqueous leaf extract

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Boiled

1. Data in brief

Dried seeds

1. Data in brief

Paste

1. Data in brief

Seed oil

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Seeds

1. Bioresource technology