Terminalia hylodendron

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pteleopsis albidiflora
• Pteleopsis bequaertii
• Pteleopsis hylodendron

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Myrtales, it is classified under the family Combretaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Terminalia, specifically as the species Terminalia hylodendron.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the diverse landscapes of West Tropical Africa. Within this region, it can be found growing in the coastal and forest zones of Ghana. Its presence extends further west into the territories of Guinea and Ivory Coast. Additionally, the species is documented inhabiting the tropical environments of Liberia. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant includes the expansive regions of Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Terminalia hylodendron is characterized by a long-term survival strategy, functioning as a perennial organism that persists through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, allowing it to maintain a robust structural presence within its ecosystem. This life form is categorized under both phanerophyte classifications, emphasizing its development into a large, woody plant that relies on sustained growth cycles to reach maturity and sustain its biological functions over many years.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Terminalia hylodendron is characterized by its significant stature, reaching an average plant height of approximately 35 m. It is a woody tree that functions as a self-supporting organism, exhibiting a growth form classified consistently as a tree. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, maintaining an independent lifestyle rather than acting as a parasite. Its structure is robust and self-supporting, lacking any climbing or vine-like characteristics.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

35 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Terminalia hylochondron is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide directly through the enzyme RuBisCO without the specialized anatomical adaptations found in C4 or CAM plants. This metabolic strategy indicates that the plant's carbon assimilation is most efficient under moderate temperature and moisture conditions. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, as it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Terminalia hylodendron is characterized by a phenological cycle where both flowering and fruiting processes are highly synchronized. The flowering period typically begins in February, with the end of the flowering stage also occurring around February, indicating a relatively concentrated and brief window for floral development. Similarly, the fruiting cycle follows this tight temporal pattern, with the onset of fruit production starting in February and concluding within the same month. While the specific timing of these reproductive stages can be variable throughout the year, the primary seasonal activity for both flower and fruit emergence is concentrated during the month of February.

Flowering time :

Feb

Fruiting time :

Feb

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Terminalia hylodendron has 1 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 stem.

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Planta medica

Chemicals

Terminalia hylodendron has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3,3'-di-o-methyl ellagic acid.

3,3'-di-o-methyl ellagic acid

1. Planta medica

Activities

Terminalia hylodendron has 4 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Hepatotoxic, Nephrotoxic.

Antibacterial

1. Planta medica

Antioxidant

1. Planta medica

Hepatotoxic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Nephrotoxic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Terminalia hylodendron has 3 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanolic extract of Pteleopsis hylodendron, methanolic extract of Pteleopsis hylodendron stem bark, stem bark.

Methanolic extract of pteleopsis hylodendron

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methanolic extract of pteleopsis hylodendron stem bark

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Stem bark

1. Planta medica