African pterygota

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• African pterygota
• pterygota

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pterygota cordifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Pterygota, specifically as the species Pterygota macrocarpa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Pterygota macrocarpa, is primarily distributed across the region of West Tropical Africa. Its presence is specifically documented within the borders of Benin and Ghana. Furthermore, the species can be found growing in the natural habitats of Guinea. The geographical range extends further into the Ivory Coast as well. Finally, its distribution concludes with established populations located in Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Pterygota macrocarpa is characterized by its existence as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It adopts a phanerophyte life form, specifically categorized both as a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, which indicates that its perennating buds are located well above the ground level. Furthermore, the species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal biological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pterygota macrocarpa is characterized by its substantial stature and robust structural development. It is a woody tree that exhibits a significant height, with a mean height of approximately 30 m and a maximum recorded height reaching up to 36.57644477 m. While it can exhibit climbing tendencies, categorized as a self-supporting liana or vine, it primarily functions as a self-supporting growth form. As a terrestrial species, it grows from the ground rather than as an epiphyte, maintaining a consistent woody constitution throughout its development.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Plant height max:

36.57644477 m

Plant height mean:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pterygota macrocarpa is characterized by distinct metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies typical of its taxonomic group. Regarding its interaction with soil nutrients, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. Consequently, its physiological survival and growth patterns are heavily dependent on the availability of nitrogenous compounds directly within the soil substrate. Its metabolic activity is geared toward efficient resource uptake and carbon assimilation to support its structural development and reproductive cycles, relying on standard mineral absorption through its root system to maintain cellular homeostasis and enzymatic functions.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pterygota macrocarpa is characterized by a specific seed profile and diverse dispersal mechanisms. The plant produces seeds with a highly consistent mass, where the seed mass mean, maximum, and minimum are all recorded at 1.466 g, indicating a lack of variability in individual seed weight. Regarding its dispersal syndrome, the species exhibits a multifaceted strategy, utilizing anemochory (wind dispersal), zoochory (animal dispersal), autochory (self-dispersal), hydrochory (water dispersal), and an unspecialized approach to ensure its seeds are spread across various environments.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Seed mass mean:

1.466 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Pterygota macrocarpa has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ethanol.

ethanol

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Activities

Pterygota macrocarpa has 8 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antihypertensive, Antimalarial, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antihypertensive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimalarial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antipyretic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aphrodisiac

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology