Cherry Wood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Cherry Wood
• Red Cherrywood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cassine laevigata
• Celastrus rostratus
• Asterocarpus rostratus

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 Celastrales and the family Celastraceae, it is specifically classified under the genus Pterocelastrus. Consequently, its scientific name is Pterocelastrus rostratus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several key regions within Southern Africa. It can be found growing in the Cape Provinces, spanning various ecological zones. Its presence extends into the mountainous terrain of Lesotho. Additionally, the species is located throughout the KwaZulu-Natal province. Finally, its geographical range includes parts of Eswatini and the Northern Provinces.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pterocelastrus rostratus is characterized by its ability to inhabit a broad vertical distribution across diverse montane and lowland landscapes. This species thrives within a significant altitudinal gradient, establishing itself in environments ranging from low-lying areas at 60 m AMSL to high-altitude terrains reaching up to 1900 m AMSL. This extensive elevational range suggests a high degree of ecological plasticity, allowing the plant to adapt to varying temperature regimes, atmospheric pressures, and moisture levels associated with different topographic zones. Such a wide distribution typically indicates that the species can occupy multiple successional stages or distinct forest types within its range, from subtropical lowland forests to more temperate montane ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

60 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Pterocelastrus rostratus is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, meaning the plant persists through multiple growing seasons and maintains its biological functions over many years. As a perennial species, it does not complete its life cycle within a single year or two but instead establishes a long-term presence in its habitat, allowing it to invest significant energy into structural development and repeated reproductive cycles. This enduring growth habit enables the plant to withstand seasonal fluctuations and accumulate the necessary resources to support its complex physiological processes throughout its extended lifespan.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pterocelastrus rostratus is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which stands as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or epiphyte. This species is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, occupying land-based environments rather than aquatic or semiaquatic niches. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior. The physical stature of the plant is significant, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 18 meters, supported by its robust, woody architecture.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Pterocelastrus rostratus has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include IL-6.

IL-6

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Pterocelastrus rostratus has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include inflammation.

Inflammation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology