Psydrax subcordata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Plectronia subcordata
• Canthium subcordatum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianaales, it is classified under the family Rubiaceae. Specifically, the species Psydrax subcordatus is categorized under the genus Psydrax.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Psydrax subcordatus, is found across several specific regions within West Tropical Africa. Its geographical range includes the nation of Benin, where it grows in local ecosystems. It is also documented to inhabit parts of Burkina Faso within the same continental zone. Furthermore, the species can be located in Gambia and throughout the territory of Ghana. Finally, its distribution extends into the coastal landscapes of Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Psydrax subcordatus is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural development and survival strategy, the plant is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting the characteristics of a phanerophyte to ensure its reproductive and vegetative organs are elevated above the ground level. This life form, combined with its perennial nature, dictates a long-term presence within its ecological niche, supporting a stable developmental cycle over time.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Psydrax subcordatus is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, reaching a mean height of approximately 15 m, with maximum recorded heights extending up to 24.38 m. It functions as a self-supporting organism, categorized as neither a liana nor a vine, and maintains an independent existence as a non-parasitic species. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, and does not exhibit hemi-epiphytic or facultative epiphytic life stages. Its structural development is defined by a robust, woody architecture that supports its significant stature within its ecosystem.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

24.38429651 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Psydrax subcordatus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide during the light-independent reactions. This metabolic strategy indicates that the plant undergoes carbon fixation primarily through the enzyme RuBisCO under typical environmental conditions. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium from the soil substrate to support its nutritional requirements and protein synthesis.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Psydrax subcordatus is characterized by a highly flexible flowering phenology and specific seed production metrics. The flowering period for this species is notably variable, with the potential to initiate and sustain blooms across nearly every month of the year, spanning from January through December. This wide window of flowering suggests an adaptable reproductive strategy that can respond to fluctuating environmental conditions. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds with a remarkably consistent mass; the seed mass is measured at a uniform 0.05344 g, with the mean, maximum, and minimum values all aligning at this exact figure. This lack of variance in seed mass indicates a highly standardized reproductive output per seed produced by the species.

Flowering time :

variable

Seed mass mean:

0.05344 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Psydrax subcordatus has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Roseoside.

Roseoside

1. Planta medica