Adam's-apple-flower

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Adam's-apple-flower

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Conopharyngia thonneri
• Conopharyngia smithii
• Sarcopharyngia gentilii
• Conopharyngia gentilii
• Tabernaemontana durissima
• Gabunia gentilii
• Conopharyngia jollyana
• Conopharyngia crassa
• Conopharyngia durissima
• Gabunia dorotheae
• Sarcopharyngia crassa
• Tabernaemontana jollyana
• Tabernaemontana smithii
• Tabernaemontana thonneri

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 Apocynaceae. Its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Tabernaemontana, which includes the species Tabernaemontana crassa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, its presence has been documented within the borders of Ghana. It is also found growing in the coastal and forest areas of Ivory Coast. Furthermore, the species extends into the territories of Liberia and Sierra Leone. Finally, its geographical range includes the large nation of Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Tabernaemontana crassa is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish long-term presence within its ecological niche. Structurally, the plant exhibits distinct life forms depending on its developmental stage and environmental context, primarily classified as a phanerophyte due to its woody stems that elevate its buds above the ground level. Additionally, its growth habit can be categorized under the nanophanerophyte life form, reflecting its ability to maintain woody structures at relatively low heights. This combination of a perennial lifecycle and phanerophyte architecture ensures its survival and structural complexity within its natural habitat.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tabernaemontana crassa is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, reaching an average height of approximately 12.5 m. As a self-supporting organism, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it maintains an independent life cycle rather than acting as a parasite. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. Its structural development is defined by a robust, woody growth form that supports its significant height within its ecosystem.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

12.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tabernaemontana crassa is characterized by its specialized metabolic pathways and nutrient acquisition strategies typical of the Apocynaceae family. As a woody perennial, its physiological processes are centered around efficient photosynthesis and the synthesis of complex secondary metabolites, including indole alkaloids, which are produced through intricate enzymatic pathways. In terms of nutrient cycling, the plant does not exhibit the capacity for symbiotic nitrogen fixation; therefore, it is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules containing diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Instead, its nitrogen assimilation relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system. The plant's water regulation and transpiration rates are managed through sophisticated stomatal control, ensuring physiological stability in its native tropical or subtropical environments, while its metabolic vigor is heavily dependent on the availability of soil minerals and organic matter.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Tabernaemontana crassa 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 ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Tabernaemontana crassa has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Conopharyngine, IBOGAINE.

Conopharyngine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

IBOGAINE

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Tabernaemontana crassa has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include infections, injuries, pain.

Infections

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Injuries

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Pain

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Tabernaemontana crassa has 4 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 70% (v/v) hydroethanol (HE) extract, extracts, hydroethanol (HE) extract, hydroethanol extract of Tabernaemontana crassa (Apocynaceae) stem bark.

70% (v/v) hydroethanol (he) extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Extracts

1. Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine

Hydroethanol (he) extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hydroethanol extract of tabernaemontana crassa (apocynaceae) stem bark

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology