Cape-Teak

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Cape-Teak
• Cape-Teak Bitterberry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Atherstonea decussata
• Strychnos boinensis
• Strychnos atherstonei

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianales, it is a member of the family Loganiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Strychnos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several distinct regions of the African continent. In Northeast Tropical Africa, its presence is documented within the borders of Somalia. Moving further south, it is found throughout East Tropical Africa, specifically in Kenya and Tanzania. The species also extends into South Tropical Africa, where it inhabits Malawi. Finally, its geographical range includes the territory of Mozambique.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Strychnos decussaata is characterized by its distribution across a diverse altitudinal gradient, thriving in various tropical environments. This species is found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 15 m AMSL to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL, allowing it to occupy habitats ranging from lowland coastal regions to mid-elevation montane ecosystems. Its presence within these varying altitudes suggests an adaptability to different microclimates, moisture regimes, and soil compositions typical of these tropical forest strata.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

15 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Strychnos decussaata is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, meaning it maintains its vegetative structures and continues to live through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a long-lived woody climber, its development involves a gradual establishment phase followed by a sustained period of growth and reproduction. Throughout its lifecycle, the plant undergoes seasonal cycles of leaf production and flowering, contributing to its long-term presence within its ecological niche. Unlike annuals or biennials that undergo rapid senescence, this perennial habit allows the plant to accumulate biomass over many years, establishing a stable and enduring biological presence in its habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Strychnos decussaata is characterized by its robust, woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a tree. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant exhibits significant vertical variation in its stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 1.5 meters to a maximum of 16 meters, maintaining a mean height of approximately 7 meters. While its structure is fundamentally tree-like, it possesses self-supporting climbing characteristics, allowing it to maintain its form through its own woody development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

16 m

Plant height mean:

7 m

Plant height min:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Strychnos decussata is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutrient acquisition strategies. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle, making it reliant on standard atmospheric CO2 concentrations for energy production. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, Strychnos decussata is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form and must instead rely on the uptake of available nitrates and ammonium from the soil.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Strychnos decussaata is characterized by the production of seeds with specific morphological and physical dimensions. The seeds exhibit a mean mass of approximately 0.97519 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.6421 g to a maximum of 1.30828 g. In terms of spatial dimensions, the seed volume remains highly consistent, with both the minimum and maximum recorded volumes, as well as the mean volume, reaching 2400 mm³. This consistency in seed volume suggests a standardized reproductive output per seed produced by the plant.

Seed mass max:

1.30828 g

Seed mass mean:

0.97519 g

Seed mass min:

0.6421 g

Seed volume max:

2400 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Strychnos decussata 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 stem.

Stem

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Strychnos decussata has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 10-Hydroxy-17-O-methylakagerine, 10-Hydroxy-21-O-methylkribine, 10-Hydroxyepi-21-O-methylkribine, Akagerine.

10-Hydroxy-17-O-methylakagerine

1. Journal of natural products

10-Hydroxy-21-O-methylkribine

1. Journal of natural products

10-Hydroxyepi-21-O-methylkribine

1. Journal of natural products

Akagerine

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Strychnos decussata has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis

1. Pharmaceutical biology