Symphonia globulifera

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Symphonia globulifera var. africana
• Symphonia globulifera var. gabonensis
• Symphonia gabonensis
• Aneuriscus exserens
• Symphonia globulifera var. angustifolia
• Moronobea globulifera
• Symphonia gabonensis var. macrantha
• Aneuriscus aubletii
• Moronobea exserens
• Symphonia globulifera var. major
• Symphonia globulifera var. macoubea
• Symphonia utilissima
• Symphonia esculenta

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Further taxonomic progression places it in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales. It is a member of the Clusiaceae family and is specifically identified by the genus Symphonia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the landscape of West Tropical Africa. Within this region, its presence is documented in the country of Ghana. It can also be found growing throughout the Ivory Coast. Furthermore, the species inhabits the territories of Liberia and Sierra Leone. Finally, its geographical range extends into Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Symphonia globulifera is characterized by its broad adaptability across diverse forest ecosystems and a wide altitudinal distribution. This species is commonly found in various specialized environments, including Floresta Ciliar or Galeria, Floresta de Igapó, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial), and Restinga. Its ability to thrive in these distinct habitats, ranging from seasonally flooded areas to coastal restingas and dense rainforests, highlights its ecological versatility. Furthermore, the species exhibits a significant elevational range, inhabiting areas from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to high-altitude regions reaching a maximum of 3000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Igapó, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Life history

The life history of Symphonia globulifera is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem over many years. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated woody stems, which helps it compete for light within its native habitats. The species is consistently evergreen, retaining its foliage throughout the year to facilitate continuous metabolic activity.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Symphonia globulifera is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, capable of reaching a significant height with a mean of approximately 15 m and a maximum potential height of up to 35 m. It functions as a self-supporting organism, categorized as neither a climber nor a liana, and maintains an independent existence as it is not a parasite. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its growth habit, meaning it does not function as an epiphyte (whether holoepiphyte, hemiepiphyte, or otherwise) and is not adapted to aquatic or semiaquatic environments.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

35 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Symphonia globulifera is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and resource acquisition strategies. The plant exhibits specific leaf morphometrics, with an average leaf length of 7.6 cm and an average leaf width of 3.4 cm, resulting in a mean leaf thickness of 0.031 mm. Its leaf economics are further defined by a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 140 cm²/g and a consistent Leaf Dry Matter Content (LDMC) of 355.3 mg/g, representing the minimum, mean, and maximum values recorded for this trait. Structural density is notable in its woody components, featuring a mean stem specific density (SSD) of 690 mg/cm³. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil nutrient availability rather than symbiotic nitrogen fixation to meet its metabolic requirements.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

355.3 mg/g

Leaf length mean:

7.6 cm

Leaf thickness mean:

0.031 mm

Leaf width mean:

3.4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

140 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

690 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Symphonia globulifera is characterized by the production of fleshy, indehiscent fruits classified as berries. These fruits typically possess an average length of 3 cm and an average width of 2 cm. The seeds contained within are substantial, with an average mass of 3.3285 g (ranging from a minimum of 2.03 g to a maximum of 6.92 g) and a consistent mean seed volume of 9200 mm³. The morphological dimensions of the seeds vary, with a mean length of 19.45 mm (ranging from 15 mm to 30 mm), a maximum width of 16.3 mm, and a maximum height of 14.6 mm. Due to the fleshy nature of the fruit, the plant utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to facilitate the spread of its seeds.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length mean:

3 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width mean:

2 cm

Seed height max:

14.6 mm

Seed length max:

30 mm

Seed length mean:

19.45 mm

Seed length min:

15 mm

Seed mass max:

6.92 g

Seed mass mean:

3.3285 g

Seed mass min:

2.03 g

Seed volume max:

9200 mm³

Seed width max:

16.3 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Symphonia globulifera 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

Symphonia globulifera has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Isoflavones, STIGMASTEROL, guttiferone K, triterpenoids.

Isoflavones

1. Journal of natural products

STIGMASTEROL

1. Journal of natural products

guttiferone K

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

triterpenoids

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Symphonia globulifera has 5 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antiparasitic, Antiprotozoal, Cytotoxic.

Antibacterial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimicrobial

1. Planta medica

Antiparasitic

1. Planta medica

Antiprotozoal

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Symphonia globulifera has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Leishmania donovani, malaria.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations