Spirostachys africana

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Spirostachys synandra
• Excoecaria africana
• Sapium africanum
• Stillingia africana
• Excoecaria synandra
• Myrica holtzii

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae within the order Malpighiales. Furthermore, it is a member of the family Euphorbiaceae and is specifically categorized under the genus Spirostachys.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In East Tropical Africa, its presence is documented within the borders of Kenya and Tanzania. The species also extends into South Tropical Africa, where it can be found in Angola. Additionally, its range covers the territories of Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Overall, these locations highlight a significant geographical spread across both eastern and southern tropical zones.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Spirostachys africana is characterized by its preference for specific moisture-rich environments, primarily found inhabiting riverine areas or growing within semi-evergreen bushland. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occurring across a significant vertical gradient in its native landscape. It can be found at elevations as low as 60 m AMSL, extending up to a maximum elevation of 1370 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1370 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

60 m AMSL

Habitat :

riverine or in semi-evergreen bushland

Life history

The life history of Spirostachys africana is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. It exhibits a complex structural profile, functioning as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, which indicates its ability to maintain visible stems or branches above the ground level. Furthermore, the plant is deciduous, shedding its foliage as part of its seasonal biological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Spirosta​chys africanica is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree. This species is terrestrial in nature and functions as an independent organism, rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of structural habit, the plant is self-supporting, meaning it does not function as a liana or a climbing vine. The height of the plant shows significant variability depending on environmental conditions, with a minimum recorded height of 0.5 m, a mean height of 7.75 m, and a maximum height reaching up to 15 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

7.75 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Spirostachedys africana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle without the specialized anatomical adaptations found in C4 or CAM plants. This metabolic strategy indicates that the plant typically engages in gas exchange through stomata that remain open during daylight hours, a process that is highly dependent on the availability of water in its environment. Furthermore, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobia, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms; instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium present in the soil to meet its nitrogenous nutritional requirements for protein and nucleic acid synthesis.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Spirostachys africana 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Spirostachys africana has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Gallotannins.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gallotannins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Spirostachys africana has 3 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Antioxidant, Genotoxic.

Antimalarial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Genotoxic

1. Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA

Medicinal Uses

Spirostachys africana has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, Plasmodium falciparum, cough, fever, rhinitis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations