Carrot Tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Carrot Tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Peucedanum araliaceum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Apiales, it is classified under the family Apiaceae. Its scientific classification is completed by its designation within the genus Steganotaenia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is found across several countries within the West Tropical Africa region. Its specific geographical range includes the nation of Benin. Additionally, the species is documented to grow in Burkina. It also maintains a presence in Ghana and Guinea. Finally, its distribution extends into the Ivory Coast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Steganotaenia araliacea is characterized by its presence in specific topographical niches, primarily thriving within dry stony hillsides, though it is occasionally found in riverine environments. This species occupies a distinct altitudinal gradient, ranging from a minimum elevation of 200 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 1200 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Habitat :

dry stony hillsides, occasionally riverine

Life history

The life history of Steganotaenia araliacea is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its stem system above the ground, specifically functioning as a phanerophyte in its structural growth habit. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Steganotaenia araliacea is characterized by its significant stature and robust structural development. This species manifests as a woody tree, exhibiting a self-supporting growth habit that allows it to reach substantial dimensions. In terms of vertical development, the plant typically reaches a mean height of 5 meters, though it is capable of attaining a maximum height of up to 10 meters. As a terrestrial organism, it thrives in non-aquatic environments and functions as an independent species, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Steganoenia aralicacea is characterized by its complex metabolic processes and specialized nutrient uptake mechanisms tailored to its specific ecological niche. As a non-nitrogen-fixing plant, it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria typically found in legumes, meaning it cannot convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms and must instead rely on the absorption of nitrates and ammonium from the surrounding soil through its root system. Its carbon assimilation is driven by photosynthetic pathways that facilitate the conversion of light energy into chemical energy, fueling the synthesis of secondary metabolites. These metabolic pathways are essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and producing the bioactive compounds that define its chemical profile. Furthermore, its transpiration and water regulation processes are managed through stomatal control, ensuring efficient gas exchange and thermal regulation while preventing excessive water loss during periods of environmental stress.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Steganotaenia araliacea is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily mediated by insects to facilitate fertilization. The seeds produced through this process are notably small and uniform in size, with a mean seed mass of 0.00564 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00561 g to a maximum of 0.00567 g. Following successful fertilization, the plant utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning the seeds are dispersed primarily by wind to colonize new habitats.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.00567 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00564 g

Seed mass min:

0.00561 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Steganotaenia araliacea has 3 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf, stem.

Root

1. African health sciences
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

Leaf

1. The Journal of tropical medicine and hygiene

Stem

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Steganotaenia araliacea has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 10-Demethoxystegane, Neoisostegane, Prestegane B, Steganacin, Steganangin.

10-Demethoxystegane

1. Journal of natural products

Neoisostegane

1. Journal of natural products

Prestegane B

1. Journal of natural products

Steganacin

1. Journal of natural products

Steganangin

1. Journal of natural products

Steganone

1. Journal of natural products

episteganangin

1. Journal of natural products

polyphenols

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

steganoate B

1. Journal of natural products

steganolide A

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Steganotaenia araliacea has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include bacterial infections, diarrhea, hypertension, ovarian cancer, wound infections.

Bacterial infections

1. African health sciences

Diarrhea

1. African health sciences

Hypertension

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Ovarian cancer

1. Journal of natural products

Wound infections

1. African health sciences

Preparations

Steganotaenia araliacea has 6 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Water and methanol extracts, organic extract, polyphenol-rich extract, root bark extracts, stem bark.

Water and methanol extracts

1. African health sciences

Organic extract

1. Journal of natural products

Polyphenol-rich extract

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Root bark extracts

1. African health sciences

Stem bark

1. Journal of natural products

Water extracts

1. The Journal of tropical medicine and hygiene