Sterculia tragacantha

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sterculia tragacantha var. stipitata
• Clompanus pubescens
• Southwellia tragacantha

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further organized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malvales. Finally, it is a member of the family Malvaceae and is placed within the genus Sterculia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the region of West Tropical Africa. Within this geographical area, its presence is specifically noted in the nation of Benin. It can also be found growing within the borders of Burkina Faso. Furthermore, the species is documented in the countries of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, its natural habitat extends to the territory of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Sterculia tragacantha is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its perennable buds are borne on aerial shoots well above the ground, a structural strategy that defines its overall life form. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage periodically, which is often an evolutionary adaptation to seasonal climatic shifts or moisture availability. Through these biological traits, the plant maintains a stable presence in its ecological niche across long durations.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sterculia tragacantha is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which functions as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or liana. It is an independent organism that does not exhibit parasitic behavior and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking any epiphytic qualities. This species reaches significant dimensions, with an average plant height of approximately 20 m and a maximum recorded height of up to 24.38 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

24.38429651 m

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sterculia tragacantha is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and metabolic efficiency in varying environmental conditions. As a plant utilizing the C3 pathway, it fixes atmospheric carbon dioxide directly through the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle, typically favoring environments where moisture and temperature are relatively stable. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds available within the soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sterculia tragacantha is characterized by a highly flexible phenological cycle and a specific mechanism for seed dissemination. The flowering period is notably variable, with the onset of flowering typically beginning around March, though it can occur across various months of the year depending on environmental conditions. Similarly, the fruiting process follows a variable schedule, with the fruit-setting stage often beginning in January. The dispersal of its seeds is governed by an autochorous syndrome, meaning the plant utilizes an autochorous mechanism where seeds are dispersed by the plant itself, likely through the explosive dehiscence of its follicles, rather than relying heavily on external agents like wind or animals.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

Mar

Fruiting time :

Jan

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Sterculia tragacantha 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 inflammation research
2. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Chemicals

Sterculia tragacantha has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthraquinones, Cardiac Glycosides, Epicatechin, Flavonoid, Proanthocyanidins.

Anthraquinones

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Cardiac Glycosides

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Epicatechin

1. Journal of inflammation research

Flavonoid

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Proanthocyanidins

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Saponins

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Tannin

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Activities

Sterculia tragacantha has 5 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Metal-Chelator, Neuroprotective.

Analgesic

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of inflammation research

Antioxidant

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Metal-Chelator

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Neuroprotective

1. Journal of inflammation research

Conditions

Sterculia tragacantha has 11 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, boils, diabetes mellitus, diarrhea.

Inflammation

1. Journal of inflammation research

Oxidative stress

1. Journal of inflammation research

Boils

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Diabetes mellitus

1. Journal of inflammation research

Diarrhea

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Dyspepsia

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Fever

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Gonorrhea

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Snake bite

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Syphilis

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Preparations

Sterculia tragacantha has 7 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extract, aqueous extract of Sterculia tragacantha leaf, chloroform extract, ethyl acetate extract, hexane extract.

Aqueous extract

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Aqueous extract of sterculia tragacantha leaf

1. Journal of inflammation research

Chloroform extract

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Ethyl acetate extract

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Hexane extract

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Methanol extract

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Powder form

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine