African nut-tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• African nut-tree
• African oil-nut-tree
• African wood-oil nut-tree
• ezang

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Jatropha heudelotii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales, falling into the family Euphorbiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic designation is completed by its genus, Ricinodendron.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found within the West Tropical Africa region. Its natural habitat extends across several specific countries in this diverse ecological zone. Specifically, it can be located in Benin and Ghana. The species is also distributed through Guinea-Bissau and Guinea. Additionally, its geographical range includes the territory of the Ivory Coast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Ricinodendron heudelotii is characterized by its status as a perennial species, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated branches, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit and life form. Furthermore, its physiological cycle includes a deciduous phase, during which it sheds its foliage, a trait that plays a critical role in its seasonal survival and resource management.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ricinodendron heudelotii is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree that can reach a mean height of 30 m, with a maximum recorded height of approximately 45.72 m. It exhibits a self-supporting growth form, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte, and it is strictly terrestrial in its habitat. Unlike lianas or vines, this species does not rely on climbing structures, maintaining a sturdy, self-supporting architecture throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

45.72055596 m

Plant height mean:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ricinodendron heudelotii is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning its carbon fixation process relies on the enzyme RuBisCO to incorporate atmospheric carbon dioxide directly into organic molecules without the specialized spatial separation seen in C4 or CAM plants. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, as it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable biological form.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ricinodendron heudelotii is characterized by a distinct phenological cycle and specific morphological traits of its reproductive organs. The flowering period typically begins in March and concludes within the same month, though the timing can be variable across different environments. Following pollination, the plant enters a fruiting phase that starts in November and ends in November, indicating a specific seasonal window for fruit maturation. The fruits produced are fleshy in nature, providing a nutrient-rich vessel for seed development. The seeds themselves exhibit highly consistent physical dimensions, with a mean, minimum, and maximum seed mass of 1.59 g and a uniform seed volume of 1600 mm³. Notably, the plant does not exhibit self-fertilization, suggesting a reliance on cross-pollination mechanisms to ensure genetic diversity during its reproductive cycle.

Flowering time :

Mar

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruiting time :

Nov

Seed mass mean:

1.59 g

Seed volume max:

1600 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ricinodendron heudelotii has 2 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, stem.

Leaf

1. Heliyon

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Ricinodendron heudelotii has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Corilagin.

Corilagin

1. Heliyon

Conditions

Ricinodendron heudelotii has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include infectious diseases, inflammation, malaria, tooth sensitivity, toothache.

Infectious diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Inflammation

1. Heliyon

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Tooth sensitivity

1. Odonto-stomatologie tropicale = Tropical dental journal

Toothache

1. Odonto-stomatologie tropicale = Tropical dental journal

Tuberculosis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Ricinodendron heudelotii has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include tree barks.

Tree barks

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology