Strophanthus hispidus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented in the country of Benin, where it thrives in local ecosystems. It can also be found throughout the territory of Burkina. Furthermore, the species is distributed across Ghana and the Gambia. Finally, the plant's range extends into Guinea-Bissau, completing its regional footprint.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Strophantus hispidus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it exhibits a phanerophyte life form, possessing significant above-ground stem development, though it can also be categorized under the nanophanerophyte classification depending on the specific environmental context and growth stage. The plant follows a deciduous pattern, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Strophantus hispidus is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically functioning as a shrub. This species is a terrestrial plant that grows independently, as it is not a parasite or an epiphyte. As a climber, it acts as a liana and is classified as an obligatory climber, meaning it requires external support to ascend. In terms of vertical scale, the plant exhibits significant variability in its stature, with a minimum height of 2 m, a maximum height of 3 m, and a mean plant height of approximately 8.75 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

8.75 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of Strophantus hispidus are notably defined by its vegetative morphology and nutritional processes. The plant exhibits significant variation in its foliar dimensions, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 20 cm, maintaining a mean length of approximately 12.5 cm. The width of these leaves also fluctuates, spanning from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 8 cm. Regarding its metabolic nitrogen acquisition, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil through its root system rather than through symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Leaf length max:

20 cm

Leaf length mean:

12.5 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

8 cm

Leaf width min:

2.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Strophantus hispidus involves a complex lifecycle characterized by various mechanisms of seed dissemination to ensure species survival and spatial distribution. The dispersal syndrome of this medicinal plant is multifaceted, primarily functioning through anemochorous processes where wind plays a critical role in carrying seeds away from the parent plant. In addition to wind dispersal, the species exhibits zoochorous tendencies, utilizing animals as vectors for seed transport, as well as autochorous mechanisms involving the self-propulsion of seeds from the fruit. Furthermore, the plant may utilize hydrochorous dispersal through water movement, though its overall strategy can also be described as unspecialized, allowing it to adapt to diverse environmental conditions and various ecological niches for successful colonization.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Strophanthus hispidus has 2 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, root.

Leaf

1. Advances in pharmacological sciences

Root

1. Advances in pharmacological sciences

Chemicals

Strophanthus hispidus has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CYMARIN, Cymarine, Cymarol, Emicymarin, FAT.

CYMARIN

1. Dr. Duke

Cymarine

1. Dr. Duke

Cymarol

1. Dr. Duke

Emicymarin

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Periplocymarin

1. Dr. Duke

Periplogenin

1. Dr. Duke

STROPHANTHIN

1. Dr. Duke

Saponins

1. Dr. Duke

Sarmentocymarin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Strophanthus hispidus has 50 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antialzheimeran, Antianginal, Antiarrhythmic, Antiasthmatic, Anticancer (Cervix).

Antialzheimeran

1. Dr. Duke

Antianginal

1. Dr. Duke

Antiarrhythmic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiasthmatic

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer (Cervix)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer (Liver)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antichoreic

1. Dr. Duke

Anticirrhotic

1. Dr. Duke

Anticystinuric

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations

Strophanthus hispidus has 3 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extract, extracts, methanol leaf and root extracts.

Extract

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Extracts

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Methanol leaf and root extracts

1. Advances in pharmacological sciences