Terminalia avicennioides

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Terminalia dictyoneura
• Terminalia lecardii

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Myrtales, it falls under the family Combretaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Terminalia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing within the borders of Benin. Furthermore, its presence extends into the territories of Burkina and Gambia. The species is also documented in the country of Ghana. Finally, its geographical range includes Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Terminalia avicennioides is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to maintain a continuous presence within its ecological niche over many years. As a phanerophyte, the plant's regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody branches, a structural adaptation that supports its growth into a substantial tree form. This phanerophyte life strategy ensures that its vital meristematic tissues are protected from various environmental stressors, facilitating long-term survival and sustained biological activity throughout its extended lifecycle.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Terminalia avicennioides is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as a self-supporting structure. It is an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, as it maintains a terrestrial lifestyle. The plant exhibits significant vertical development, with a mean height of approximately 6 m, though it can reach a maximum height of up to 9.14 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

9.144111192 m

Plant height mean:

6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Terminalia avicennioides is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and metabolic efficiency within its specific ecological niche. As a non-nitrogen-fixing species, the plant does not possess the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, meaning it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds present in the soil through its root system. This metabolic profile influences its growth patterns and nutrient requirements, necessitating a consistent supply of soil nitrates or ammonium to support its protein synthesis and overall physiological development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Terminalia avicennioides involves a specialized process centered around the production of seeds that exhibit high uniformity in their physical characteristics. The reproductive output of this species is characterized by a highly consistent seed mass, with no observed variance across the sampled population. Specifically, the seed mass is recorded at a mean value of 0.21479 g, which is simultaneously the maximum and minimum mass observed. This lack of deviation between the mean, maximum, and minimum values indicates a highly stabilized seed morphology, where every seed produced maintains a precise mass of exactly 0.21479 g, ensuring a standardized energetic investment per propagule during the dispersal phase.

Seed mass mean:

0.21479 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Terminalia avicennioides has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit.

Leaf

1. Chemistry & biodiversity
2. Parasitology research

Fruit

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Chemicals

Terminalia avicennioides has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Anthraquinones, Eicosanoids, Glibenclamide, Isorhamnetin.

Flavonoids

1. Heliyon
2. Journal of herbal pharmacotherapy

Anthraquinones

1. Journal of herbal pharmacotherapy

Eicosanoids

1. Inflammopharmacology

Glibenclamide

1. Planta medica

Isorhamnetin

1. Heliyon

ROS

1. Inflammopharmacology

SAPONIN

1. Journal of herbal pharmacotherapy

TNF alpha

1. Inflammopharmacology

Tannins

1. Journal of herbal pharmacotherapy

ferulic acid

1. Heliyon

Activities

Terminalia avicennioides has 4 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antidiabetic

1. Planta medica

Antimicrobial

1. Heliyon

Antioxidant

1. Heliyon

Medicinal Uses

Terminalia avicennioides has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include trypanosomiasis, MRSA, bacterial infections, fungal infections, leishmaniasis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations