Yellow Bitterberry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Pit-Leaved Strychnos

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Strychnos adolfi-friderici

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianales, it is classified under the family Loganiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Strychnos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence has been documented in Sierra Leone. Moving towards the center of the continent, it is found within the vast landscapes of the DR Congo in West-Central Tropical Africa. The species also extends into Northeast Tropical Africa, specifically inhabiting Ethiopia and the areas of Sudan and South Sudan. Finally, its range stretches into East Tropical Africa, where it can be located in Kenya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Strychnos mitis is characterized by its preference for moist, densely vegetated environments, specifically thriving within rainforest and riverine forest habitats. This species occupies a broad altitudinal gradient, distributed from low-lying areas starting at 10 m AMSL up to higher elevations reaching a maximum of 1200 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

10 m AMSL

Habitat :

rainforest and riverine forest

Life history

The life history of Strychnos mitis is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. As a long-lived woody species, it follows a developmental trajectory that extends far beyond the brief intervals of annuals or biennials, allowing it to establish a stable presence within its ecological niche. This perennial nature enables the plant to invest significant energy into structural growth and complex physiological processes over many years, contributing to its long-term survival and ability to withstand seasonal fluctuations in its environment.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Strychnos mitis is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a tree. As a terrestrial species, it is an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. This plant exhibits significant vertical dimensions, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 4 m to a maximum of 35 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 18 m. Regarding its structural habit, it is classified as a self-supporting climber.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

35 m

Plant height mean:

18 m

Plant height min:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Strychnos mitis 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Chemicals

Strychnos mitis has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthraquinones, Glycosides, Phenols, Saponins, Tannins.

Anthraquinones

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Glycosides

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Phenols

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Saponins

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Tannins

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Terpenoids

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Conditions

Strychnos mitis has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include malaria, weight loss.

Malaria

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Weight loss

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Preparations

Strychnos mitis has 3 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude aqueous and hydro-methanolic extracts of the leaves, crude extracts, solvent fractions of the leaves.

Crude aqueous and hydro-methanolic extracts of the leaves

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Crude extracts

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Solvent fractions of the leaves

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine