Limba

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Limba
• shinglewood
• white afara
• white mukonja
• yellow-pine
• superb terminalia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Terminalia altissima

Regional and Traditional Names

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 Myrtales, it is classified under the family Combretaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its membership in the genus Terminalia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is found across several regions within West Tropical Africa. Its geographical range specifically includes the country of Benin. It can also be located within the borders of Gambia. Furthermore, the species is distributed through Ghana and Guinea. Finally, its presence is documented in the Ivory Coast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Terminalia superba is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated woody stems, ensuring its survival and dominance within its natural habitat. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, undergoing a seasonal shedding of its foliage which typically coincides with specific climatic shifts or dry periods. Its structural development follows a phanerophyte growth strategy, focusing on the establishment of robust, elevated woody structures that define its long-term presence in the environment.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Terminalia superba is characterized by its robust growth form, primarily manifesting as a large, woody tree. It is a self-supporting species that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it maintains an independent existence rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. As a terrestrial plant, it thrives in land-based habitats rather than aquatic or semiaquatic environments. In terms of stature, this tree exhibits significant vertical development, with an average plant height of approximately 40 m and the capacity to reach a maximum height of up to 60.96 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

60.96074128 m

Plant height mean:

40 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Terminalia superba is characterized by a standard metabolic framework common to many tropical woody species. Regarding its carbon assimilation processes, the plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide via the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells. Furthermore, in terms of its nutrient acquisition capabilities, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil rather than establishing symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Terminalia superbba is characterized by a biotic pollination strategy, primarily involving insects, with bees playing a specific and significant role in the process. The species exhibits an absence of self-fertilization, suggesting a reliance on cross-pollination to maintain genetic diversity. Once fertilization occurs, the resulting seeds are dispersed via an anemochorous syndrome, utilizing wind for movement. The seeds themselves are relatively small and uniform in size, with a recorded seed volume that remains constant at a mean, minimum, and maximum of 64 mm³. In terms of weight, the seed mass varies slightly, ranging from a minimum of 0.061 g to a maximum of 0.112 g, with an average seed mass of 0.09735 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.112 g

Seed mass mean:

0.09735 g

Seed mass min:

0.061 g

Seed volume max:

64 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Terminalia superba has 3 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem, leaf, root.

Stem

1. Malaria journal
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaf

1. Malaria journal

Root

1. Malaria journal

Activities

Terminalia superba has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiplasmodial, Hypotensive, Antihypertensive, Cardioprotective.

Antiplasmodial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Malaria journal

Hypotensive

1. Biology open
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antihypertensive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cardioprotective

1. Biology open

Medicinal Uses

Terminalia superba has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, Candida albicans, Plasmodium falciparum, hypertension.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations