Black afara

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Black Afara
• blackbark
• brimstonewood
• satinwood
• shinglewood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

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 and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Myrtales and is a member of the family Combretaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Terminalia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the diverse landscapes of West Tropical Africa. Within this broad region, it can be found growing in the country of Benin. Its presence is also documented throughout Burkina Faso. Furthermore, the species extends its reach into the nation of Gambia. Finally, its geographical range includes the territories of both Ghana and Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Terminalia ivorensis is characterized by its specific niche within montane or highland ecosystems, where it thrives within a distinct altitudinal band. This species is primarily distributed across an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 1020 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 1500 m AMSL. Occupying these mid-to-high altitude zones, the plant is adapted to the specific microclimatic conditions found in these elevations, which often involve distinct temperature gradients and moisture regimes compared to lowland tropical forests. Its presence within this 480-meter vertical span suggests a specialized dependency on the environmental parameters typical of these highland habitats, influencing its growth patterns and its role within the local biodiversity.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1020 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Terminalia ivorenensis is characterized by its existence as a perennial species, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated structures, specifically as a phanerophyte that grows in a tree-like habit with buds located well above the ground. Its physiological cycle includes a deciduous phase, during which it sheds its foliage, a strategic adaptation likely tied to seasonal moisture availability or light competition.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Terminalia ivorensis is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree, exhibiting a robust growth form. It is a self-supporting plant that reaches an average height of approximately 30 m, though it can attain a maximum height of up to 45.72 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte; instead, it grows independently as a non-parasitic organism. Its structural development is strictly that of a self-supporting tree, lacking any vine, liana, or climbing habits.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

45.72055596 m

Plant height mean:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Terminalia ivorensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its natural habitat. As a non-nitrogen-fixing species, the plant does not possess the biological mechanisms to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms through symbiotic relationships, meaning it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds available in the soil to support its growth and nutritional requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Terminalia ivorensis is characterized by biotic pollination mechanisms, primarily driven by insects, with specific evidence pointing to butterflies as key pollinators. The species does not exhibit self-fertilization, indicating a reliance on cross-pollination to maintain genetic diversity. Once fertilization is successful, the plant utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning its seeds are dispersed by the wind. The resulting seeds are relatively small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.13316 g, though individual seed weights vary within a range of 0.0909 g to a maximum of 0.16474 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

butterfly

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.16474 g

Seed mass mean:

0.13316 g

Seed mass min:

0.0909 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Terminalia ivorensis 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, stem.

Leaf

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. Parasitology research

Stem

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Chemicals

Terminalia ivorensis has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ellagic acid, Coumarins, Flavonoids, GLYCYRRHETINIC ACID, Leucodelphidin.

ellagic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Coumarins

1. African health sciences

Flavonoids

1. African health sciences

GLYCYRRHETINIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

Leucodelphidin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Saponins

1. African health sciences

Sericic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Tannins

1. African health sciences

Terminolic acid

1. Dr. Duke

polyphenols

1. African health sciences

Activities

Terminalia ivorensis has 193 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, ATPase-Inhibitor.

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
3. Drug research

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Terminalia ivorensis has 11 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, analgesic, antioxidant effect, antipyretic.

Malaria

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. Malaria journal
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Parasitology research

Plasmodium falciparum

1. Malaria journal

Analgesic

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antioxidant effect

1. Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine

Antipyretic

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Gastroenteritis

1. Drug research

Pain

1. Drug research

Psychosis

1. Drug research

Psychotic disorder

1. Drug research

Trypanosoma brucei brucei

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

Preparations

Terminalia ivorensis has 11 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts, 70% ethanolic 70% extracts of trunk barks, Bon-santé cleanser®, Extracts, aqueous extracts.

Extracts

1. Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

70% ethanolic 70% extracts of trunk barks

1. African health sciences

Bon-santé cleanser®

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Extracts

1. Malaria journal

Aqueous extracts

1. Parasitology research

Aqueous extracts of trunk barks

1. African health sciences

Aqueous residue extracts of trunk barks

1. African health sciences

Crude extracts

1. Virology journal

Fractions

1. Malaria journal

Leaf extracts

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR