Scutia myrtina

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Scutia circumscissa
• Adolia myrtina
• Ceanothus circumscissus
• Ceanothus zeylanicus
• Catha zeylanica
• Scutia myrtina var. oblongifolia
• Scutia indica var. oblongifolia
• Adolia capensis
• Adolia rubra
• Celastrus zeylanicus
• Rhamnus circumcissa
• Ziziphus capensis
• Rhamnus myrtina
• Rhamnus capensis
• Rhamnus indica
• Adolia alba
• Ceanothus capensis
• Scutia capensis
• Adolia obcordata
• Scutia myrtina var. emarginata
• Scutia lucida
• Scutia eberhardtii
• Scutia hutchinsonii
• Scutia commersonii
• Scutia natalensis
• Scutia rheediana
• Scutia obcordata
• Scutia capensis f. obcordata
• Scutia capensis var. parvifolia
• Ceanothus circumscissus var. pauciflorus
• Scutia indica var. grandispina
• Ziziphus circumscissa

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. Specifically, it is part of the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Rosales, falling into the family Rhamnaceae. It is identified by the genus Scutia and the species Scutia myrtiina.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Burundi and Rwanda. Its presence is also well-documented within the vast territory of the DR Congo. Moving toward Northeast Tropical Africa, the species is located within the borders of Ethiopia. Finally, its range extends through the Sudan and South Sudan regions.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Scutia myrtina is characterized by its significant adaptability across diverse landscapes and altitudinal gradients. It thrives in a wide variety of habitats, ranging from moist or dry forest edges and riverine environments to evergreen or dry bushland and tree grasslands. This versatility allows the species to occupy different ecological niches, from riparian zones to more arid shrublands. In terms of vertical distribution, the plant exhibits a broad elevational range, occurring from as low as 5 m AMSL to a maximum altitude of 1830 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1830 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

5 m AMSL

Habitat :

moist or dry forest (edge), riverine, evergreen or dry bushland or tree grassland

Life history

The life history of Scutia myrtina is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain a stable presence within its ecological niche. Throughout its long-term existence, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and provides photosynthetic activity year-round rather than undergoing seasonal shedding.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Scutia myrtina is characterized by a versatile growth form that can manifest as both a shrub and a tree, exhibiting a woody structure throughout its development. As a terrestrial species, it is an independent organism that does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant displays significant variation in stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 8 meters, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 6.67 meters. Depending on its environmental context and structural support, it can exhibit different climbing habits, ranging from a self-supporting growth habit to a liana.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height mean:

6.66666666666667 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Scutia myrtina is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon assimilation processes and metabolic efficiency within its typical environmental niches. Unlike plants that utilize C4 or CAM pathways to mitigate photorespiration, this species relies on the standard Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide. Furthermore, in terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, Scutia myrtina is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized biological mechanisms or symbiotic associations with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Scutia myrtiina is characterized by the production of fruit classified as a berry, which is fundamentally indehiscent in nature. The seeds produced by this species exhibit a consistent seed volume of 25 mm³, with no recorded deviation between the minimum and maximum values. In terms of seed mass, the plant shows a degree of variability, ranging from a minimum of 0.01696 g to a maximum of 0.03745 g, resulting in an average seed mass of approximately 0.024568333 g. The dispersal of these seeds follows a zoochorous syndrome, meaning they are primarily dispersed by animals, which facilitates the plant's reproductive spread within its habitat.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit type :

berry

Seed mass max:

0.03745 g

Seed mass mean:

0.024568333 g

Seed mass min:

0.01696 g

Seed volume max:

25 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Scutia myrtina 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 root.

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Scutia myrtina has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include scutiaquinone A, scutiaquinone B.

scutiaquinone A

1. Journal of natural products

scutiaquinone B

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Scutia myrtina has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanol extract of the roots.

Methanol extract of the roots

1. Journal of natural products