Stephania abyssinica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in the nations of Benin, Guinea, and Nigeria. Moving toward the central part of the continent, it is also found within the West-Central Tropical Africa zone. Specifically, this region includes the countries of Burundi and the Central African Republic. Collectively, these locations highlight the wide range inhabited by Stephanicla abyssinicica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Stephanicra abyssincica is defined by a broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to inhabit diverse topographical zones within its native range. The species exhibits significant ecological plasticity, thriving in environments ranging from low-lying areas at an elevation of 5 m AMSL to high-altitude habitats reaching a maximum of 2100 m AMSL. This wide elevational range suggests that the plant is capable of adapting to varying temperature gradients, atmospheric pressures, and moisture regimes characteristic of both lowland tropical settings and more temperate montane ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

5 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Stephanicaphyte abyssinicica is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem across multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the species is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits consistent with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms. This indicates that its perennating buds are located well above the ground on aerial stems or branches, allowing the plant to persist through unfavorable environmental conditions by maintaining its vegetative structures in a protected, elevated position.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Stephania abyssinicica is characterized by its growth habit as a woody liana, functioning as an obligatory climber. This plant is a terrestrial species that maintains an independent lifestyle, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant vertical growth, with a height ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of approximately 9.14 meters, maintaining an average plant height of about 5 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

9.144111192 m

Plant height mean:

5 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Stephanania abyssinicica is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning its carbon fixation process relies on the enzyme Rubisco to incorporate atmospheric carbon dioxide directly into a three-carbon compound during the Calvin cycle. This metabolic strategy dictates its reliance on specific environmental conditions, such as moderate temperatures and adequate water availability, to optimize gas exchange through its stomata. Furthermore, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, as it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria (such as Rhizobium) required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; consequently, it depends on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium present within the soil matrix to satisfy its nutritional nitrogen requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Stephanania abyssinicica is characterized by a specialized reproductive strategy involving the production of small, indehiscent fruits classified as drupes. These fruits maintain a consistent morphology with a mean length and width of approximately 0.65 cm. The plant relies on cross-pollination, as self-fertilization is absent, ensuring genetic diversity within the population. For the spread of its offspring, the species utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, specifically employing endozoochory, where seeds are dispersed after being ingested by animals.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Fruit length mean:

0.65 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Fruit width mean:

0.65 cm

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Stephania abyssinica has 1 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.

Leaf

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
2. BioMed research international

Preparations

Stephania abyssinica has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Leaf Aqueous Extract, aqueous extract.

Leaf aqueous extract

1. BioMed research international

Aqueous extract

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine