Kudu Berry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Kudu Berry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

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 Phyllanthaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Pseudolachnostylis, which includes the species Pseudolachnostylis maprouneiifolia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is geographically distributed across several distinct regions of the African continent. Within West-Central Tropical Africa, its presence is noted in both Burundi and the DR Congo. Moving toward the eastern part of the continent, it can also be found in Tanzania. In the southern reaches of the continent, the species extends into Angola. Finally, its distribution in South Tropical Africa includes the country of Malawi.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pseudolachnostylis maprouneiifolia is characterized by its preference for forest habitats, where it plays a role in the complex structure of its native ecosystems. This species demonstrates a significant vertical distribution across varying landscapes, occupying an elevational range that begins at 109 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum altitude of 1495 m AMSL. This wide altitudinal breadth suggests an ability to adapt to diverse microclimates and varying topographical conditions within forest environments.

Elevational range max:

1495 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

109 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Pseudolachnostylis maprounei is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its buds well above the ground level, often reaching significant heights, though it can also exhibit traits consistent with a nanophanerophyte in certain developmental stages or environments. The plant follows a deciduous growth pattern, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal biological rhythm.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pseudolachnostylis maprouneiifolia is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically functioning as a self-supporting tree. This terrestrial species displays a significant range in stature, with plant heights varying from a minimum of 1.05 m to a maximum of 13.71 m, resulting in an average height of approximately 8 m. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behavior, maintaining a stable, self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

13.71 m

Plant height mean:

8 m

Plant height min:

1.05 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pseudolachnostylis maprouneiifolia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in its natural habitat. Unlike plants that utilize C4 or CAM mechanisms to minimize photorespiration, this species relies on the standard Calvin cycle for converting atmospheric carbon dioxide into organic compounds. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable biological form, and instead depends on the availability of nitrogenous compounds within the soil for its nutritional requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pseudolachnostylis maprouneiifolia is characterized by a biotic pollination strategy that relies on animal vectors rather than abiotic factors. Specifically, the plant utilizes an insect-based pollination syndrome, with bees acting as key pollinators to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The species exhibits a lack of self-fertilization, indicating that it is an obligate outcrosser, which promotes genetic diversity within the population. Regarding its progeny, the seeds produced are highly uniform in size; the seed mass is consistent across all recorded measurements, with a minimum, maximum, and mean mass all strictly valued at 0.09154 g.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.09154 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Alcohols, Coumarins, Flavonoids, Glycosides, Phenols.

Alcohols

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Coumarins

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Flavonoids

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Glycosides

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Phenols

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Saponins

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Steroids

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Tannins

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Terpenoids

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

ketones

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Activities

Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia has 3 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal, Antioxidant, Aphrodisiac.

Antifungal

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Antioxidant

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Aphrodisiac

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Conditions

Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, cough, fever, pneumonia, schistosomiasis.

Cancer

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Cough

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Fever

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Pneumonia

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Schistosomiasis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Urogenital schistosomiasis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Wounds

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Preparations

Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude extracts.

Crude extracts

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS