Psychotria peduncularis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cephaelis peduncularis
• Uragoga peduncularis

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Psychotria peduncularis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Gentianaales. Finally, it is a member of the Rubiaceae family within the genus Psychotria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is found across several specific regions within West Tropical Africa. Its presence is documented in the coastal and inland areas of Benin. Furthermore, the species can be located in the West African nation of Gambia. It also extends its range into the territories of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, the geographical distribution includes the country of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Psychotria peduncularis is characterized by its preference for transitional and developing forest environments, specifically thriving within secondary forests and along forest fringes. In these habitats, the plant typically occupies ecotones where the dense canopy of primary forests meets more open, disturbed, or regenerating areas. This positioning allows it to exploit varying light intensities, often utilizing the dappled sunlight found at the edges of woody vegetation. By inhabiting these secondary forest zones, the species plays a role in the successional dynamics of the ecosystem, adapting to the structural complexity and shifting microclimates typical of forest margins and recovering woodland landscapes.

Habitat :

secondary forest and forest fringe

Life history

The life history of Psychotria peduncularis is characterized by its long-term survival as a perennial organism, allowing it to maintain a presence in its ecosystem over multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategy, the plant exhibits a dual classification regarding its life form: it functions as a phanerophyte, possessing visible buds located well above the ground level, while also exhibiting traits consistent with a nanophanerophyte, indicating that its woody stems and reproductive structures remain relatively low in stature within its specific niche.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Psychotria peduncularis is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, functioning as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or liana. It is an independent species that does not exhibit parasitic behavior and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking any epiphytic tendencies. In terms of physical stature, the plant displays significant variability in height, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of approximately 1.83 m, resulting in a mean plant height of approximately 1.44 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.828822238 m

Plant height mean:

1.43813703966667 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproductive cycle of Psychotria peduncularis is characterized by a distinct seasonal progression involving specific windows for flowering and fruiting. The flowering period is relatively concentrated, with the process beginning in May and concluding within the same month, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. Following the successful pollination of the flowers, the plant transitions into its fruiting stage. The fruiting process typically commences in August and reaches its conclusion within that same month, also subject to seasonal variability. This synchronized pattern of development ensures a structured transition from floral emergence to fruit maturation throughout the annual cycle.

Flowering time :

May

Fruiting time :

Aug

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Psychotria peduncularis has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Phenols, Steroids.

Flavonoids

1. Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences

Phenols

1. Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences

Steroids

1. Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences

Conditions

Psychotria peduncularis has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Candida albicans.

Candida albicans

1. Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences

Preparations

Psychotria peduncularis has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extract.

Extract

1. Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences