Rinorea welwitschii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Alsodeia welwitschii

Sources: Wikidata

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 placed in the order Malpighiales and the family Violaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Rinorea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Within this geographical area, it can be found growing in the nation of Ghana. Its presence extends further into the coastal landscapes of Guinea and the Ivory Coast. Additionally, the species is documented throughout the forests of Liberia. Finally, the distribution of this medicinal plant concludes its regional range in Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Rinorea welwitschii is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a growth form where the perennating buds are located high above the ground on woody stems. Within this botanical framework, the species exhibits specific variations in its survival strategy, manifesting as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte. This indicates that while the plant primarily maintains its regenerative organs on elevated branches to survive seasonal changes or environmental stressors, the height of these buds can vary, sometimes occupying a lower stature characteristic of nanophanerophytes. This life form enables the plant to persist through various ecological cycles by protecting its vital tissues within its structural architecture.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Rinorea welwitschii is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a shrub or a tree. As a terrestrial plant, it does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, functioning instead as an independent organism rather than a parasite. In terms of stature, the plant is self-supporting rather than a climber, with its height varying significantly depending on environmental conditions; it can reach a minimum height of approximately 1.22 meters, maintain an average height of about 5 meters, and reach a maximum height of up to 9.14 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

9.144111192 m

Plant height mean:

5 m

Plant height min:

1.219214826 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rinorea welwitschii is characterized by a primary metabolic reliance on the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common trait among many tropical woody species that facilitates carbon fixation through the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO. This C3 mechanism involves the standard Calvin cycle, where atmospheric carbon dioxide is captured within the mesophyll cells to produce three-carbon compounds. Consequently, the plant's gas exchange and water-use efficiency are intrinsically linked to its stomatal conductance, as it lacks the specialized carbon-concentrating mechanisms found in C4 or CAM plants. This physiological framework dictates its adaptation to specific light and moisture availability, influencing its overall energy assimilation rates and growth patterns within its native ecological niche.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rinorea welwitschii is characterized by a highly flexible phenological cycle, with flowering and fruiting periods that exhibit significant variability throughout the year. The flowering phase is inconsistent in its timing, with a start and end period that can occur across any month from January through December, depending on environmental conditions. Similarly, the fruiting process displays a wide range of temporal distribution; while the fruiting season can begin as early as January and extend through any month of the year, the culmination of the fruiting cycle typically concludes around March, though this end date also remains variable.

Flowering time :

variable

Fruiting time :

Jan

Fruiting time :

Mar

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Rinorea welwitschii has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem.

Stem

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Rinorea welwitschii has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Alpinumisoflavone, Di-O-methylalpinumisoflavone.

Alpinumisoflavone

1. Fitoterapia

Di-O-methylalpinumisoflavone

1. Fitoterapia

Preparations

Rinorea welwitschii has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include dichloromethane extract of the stem-barks.

Dichloromethane extract of the stem-barks

1. Fitoterapia