Tragia benthamii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tragia kassiliensis
• Tragia keniensis
• Tragia mitis var. kirkii

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Tragia benthamii, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Euphorbiaceae and falls under the genus Tragia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Tragia benthamii, is native to the West Tropical Africa region. Its specific geographical distribution spans several distinct countries within this zone. In particular, it can be found growing in the territories of Benin and Ghana. The species is also documented to inhabit parts of the Ivory Coast and Togo. Furthermore, its presence extends into the large West African nation of Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tragia benthamii is characterized by its specific distribution within montane and sub-montane landscapes, where it thrives under particular topographic constraints. This species is primarily found within a distinct elevational range that reaches a maximum of 1000 m AMSL. Its habitat preferences are closely tied to these altitudinal gradients, occupying niches where soil composition and moisture availability support its growth patterns. The plant's presence within this specific elevational belt suggests an adaptation to the microclimates and environmental pressures found at these mid-to-low altitude tropical or subtropical zones, influencing its competitive interactions and reproductive success within its native ecosystem.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Tragia benthamii is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural development and survival strategies, it exhibits a dual life form classification, functioning as both a phanerophyte and a hemicryptophyte. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its buds at a significant height above the ground, typically on woody stems, while its hemicryptophyte nature indicates that its perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or organic debris during unfavorable conditions.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tragia benthamii is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, exhibiting a primarily terrestrial habit. As a plant, it functions independently and does not act as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its structural habit, it is classified as an obligatory climber, though it maintains a self-supporting capability. The plant displays significant variability in stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 3 m, reaching a mean height of approximately 2.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

2.5 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tragia benthamii is characterized by its specific metabolic processes and nutritional strategies, particularly regarding its interaction with soil nutrients. In terms of its nitrogen acquisition mechanisms, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for plant growth. Consequently, its physiological reliance is placed on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium directly from the soil through its root system. This lack of nitrogen-fixing capability influences its nutrient cycling and growth patterns, necessitating a reliance on available soil organic matter and mineral nitrogen levels to support its metabolic functions and structural development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Tragia benthamii has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Activities

Tragia benthamii has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer.

Antibacterial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Anticancer

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Tragia benthamii has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include reproductive health.

Reproductive health

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Tragia benthamii has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves and bark extracts, methanol extracts.

Leaves and bark extracts

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Methanol extracts

1. SpringerPlus