Little Monkey-Orange

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Little Monkey-Orange
• Stipe-Fruited Bitterbush
• Stipe-fruited strychnos

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Strychnos distichophylla
• Strychnos micans
• Strychnos cerasifera
• Strychnos cooperi

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, specifically as the species Strychnos usaembarensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is geographically distributed across several regions within West Tropical Africa. Specifically, its presence has been documented in the nation of Benin. It can also be found growing within the borders of Burkina Faso. Furthermore, the species extends its range into Ghana and Guinea. Finally, its distribution includes the coastal landscapes of the Ivory Coast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Strychnos usaம்பarensis is characterized by its presence in diverse forest ecosystems, ranging from dry forest and evergreen thicket to riverine forest and moist forest environments. This plant exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, thriving across a significant elevational gradient that begins at 30 m AMSL and extends to a maximum elevation of 1370 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1370 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

30 m AMSL

Habitat :

dry forest, evergreen thicket, riverine forest, also moist forest

Life history

The life history of Strychnos usaம்பarensis is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural life form, the species is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically identified under both phanerophyte categories, indicating that its perennating buds are elevated above the ground level, typically on woody stems or branches.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Strychnos usaம்பarensis is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically functioning as a large tree and a liana. As an obligatory climber, it utilizes its woody structure to ascend, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 24.38 meters, with an average height of 17 meters and a minimum recorded height of 1 meter. This plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, neither being aquatic nor an epiphyte, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

24.38429651 m

Plant height mean:

17 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Strychnos usaம்பarensis is characterized by specialized metabolic pathways focused on the biosynthesis of complex indole alkaloids, which serve as essential chemical defenses against herbivory. Its metabolic processes are heavily geared toward secondary metabolism, utilizing amino acid precursors to synthesize bioactive compounds that influence the nervous systems of consuming organisms. In terms of nutrient acquisition and soil interactions, the plant does not possess the biological mechanisms required for symbiotic nitrogen fixation; therefore, it is classified as a non-nitrogen fixer (trait_1: Nitrogen fixer, trait_value: no). Consequently, its physiological growth and development are strictly dependent on the availability of exogenous nitrogen sources, such as nitrates and ammonium, absorbed through its root system from the surrounding substrate. This reliance on soil nitrogen dictates its nutrient uptake efficiency and its metabolic rate in varying environmental conditions.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Strychnos usambarensis 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. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Strychnos usambarensis has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 10'-hydroxyusambarensine, 18,19-Dihydrousambarine, 3',4'-Dihydrousambarensine, Akagerine, Nb-methylusambarensine.

10'-hydroxyusambarensine

1. Journal of natural products

18,19-Dihydrousambarine

1. Planta medica

3',4'-Dihydrousambarensine

1. Planta medica

Akagerine

1. Planta medica

Nb-methylusambarensine

1. Planta medica

Strychnopentamine

1. Planta medica

Usambarensine

1. Planta medica

Usambarine

1. Planta medica

Activities

Strychnos usambarensis has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Antiplasmodial.

Antimalarial

1. Journal of natural products

Antiplasmodial

1. Planta medica

Conditions

Strychnos usambarensis has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Plasmodium falciparum, Entamoeba histoLYtica, Plasmodium berghei, cancer, leukemia.

Plasmodium falciparum

1. Planta medica
2. Journal of natural products

Entamoeba histolytica

1. Planta medica

Plasmodium berghei

1. Planta medica

Cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leukemia

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Strychnos usambarensis has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves of Strychnos usambarensis.

Leaves of strychnos usambarensis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology