Tetracera potatoria

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tetracera stuhlmanniana var. occidentalis
• Tetracera obtusata

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Tetracera potatoira, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Dillenialales and the family Dilleniaceae. It is further identified by the genus Tetracera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several countries within the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, its presence has been documented in the nation of Benin. It can also be found spreading through the territories of Burkina and Gambia. Furthermore, the species inhabits the coastal and inland areas of Guinea-Bissau. Finally, its geographical range extends into the country of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Tetracera potatoria is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, ensuring its continued presence in its natural habitat over multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting the traits of a phanerophyte through its elevated bud positions. This life form allows the plant to maintain its regenerative structures above the ground, contributing to its long-term survival and developmental complexity within its ecological niche.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tetracera potatoria is characterized by its woody structure and a growth form classified as a shrub. This species functions as an obligatory climber, specifically exhibiting a liana growth habit to ascend its environment. It is an independent organism, meaning it does not function as a parasite, and it maintains a terrestrial lifestyle rather than being aquatic or epiphytic. In terms of vertical dimensions, the plant exhibits significant size variability, with an average plant height of approximately 5 m, though it can reach a maximum height of up to 9.14 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

9.144111192 m

Plant height mean:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Tetracera potatoria has 2 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 leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Tetracera potatoria has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin, Lupeol, betulinic acid.

Betulin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Lupeol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

betulinic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Tetracera potatoria has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include respiratory infections.

Respiratory infections

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Tetracera potatoria has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves.

Leaves

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology