African Breadfruit

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• African Breadfruit
• African-boxwood
• African-breadfruit

Scientific Names

Accepted name

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 Rosales, it is classified under the family Moraceae and is specifically identified by the genus Treculia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence can be specifically noted within the borders of Benin. Furthermore, it grows within the territories of Gambia and Ghana. The species also extends into the coastal areas of Guinea-Bissau. Finally, its geographical range includes the nation of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Treculia africana is fundamentally defined by its preference for moist, sheltered environments, typically found within forest ecosystems. It thrives most effectively in forest habitats, generally occurring in riverine settings where consistent access to groundwater and high humidity levels are available. This affinity for riparian zones and dense forest canopies suggests a requirement for well-drained yet moisture-retentive soils, common to the lowland and transitional forest belts of its native range. By occupying these specific niches, the species benefits from the stable microclimates and nutrient-rich alluvial soils characteristic of riverine forest margins.

Habitat :

forest, generally riverine

Life history

The life history of Treculia africana is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist and thrive in its natural habitat over many years. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs at a significant height above the ground, typically developing into a large, robust tree structure. This life form is further categorized under the phanerophyte classification, emphasizing its substantial woody architecture. Throughout its developmental stages and seasonal cycles, the plant exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage consistently rather than shedding it seasonally, ensuring continuous photosynthetic activity.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Treculia africana is characterized by its robust, woody growth form, manifesting as a large, self-supporting tree. This species is strictly terrestrial and functions as an independent organism, rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. It exhibits significant verticality, with a mean plant height of approximately 27.5 m, although it can reach a maximum height of up to 36.58 m. As a self-supporting tree, it does not possess climbing habits such as lianas or vines, instead maintaining a sturdy, woody structure that defines its physical presence in its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

36.57644477 m

Plant height mean:

27.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Treculia africana is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutritional processes, most notably its use of the C3 photosynthetic pathway to convert light energy into chemical energy. As a C3 plant, it fixes carbon dioxide directly through the Calvin cycle, a characteristic common to many tropical forest tree species that thrive in environments where moisture is relatively available. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition strategy, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form; instead, it relies on the uptake of available nitrogenous compounds from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Treculia africana is characterized by a specific seasonal phenology and specialized seed characteristics. The flowering period is concentrated around August, marking the onset of its reproductive cycle, which is followed by the fruiting stage starting in September and concluding within the same month. The plant produces fleshy fruits categorized under an "other" fruit type, which are primarily dispersed through a zoochorous syndrome, relying on animals for seed distribution. The seeds produced are relatively small and consistent in size, with a mean mass of 0.1877 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.1424 g to a maximum of 0.233 g) and a mean volume of 390 mm³. The seed volume fluctuates between a minimum of 260 mm³ and a maximum of 520 mm³, supporting the plant's ability to propagate within its natural habitat.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit type :

other

Fruiting time :

Sep

Seed mass max:

0.233 g

Seed mass mean:

0.1877 g

Seed mass min:

0.1424 g

Seed volume max:

520 mm³

Seed volume mean:

390 mm³

Seed volume min:

260 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Treculia africana 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. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Chemicals

Treculia africana has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROGENIC ACID.

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Conditions

Treculia africana has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antioxidant effect, diabetes mellitus.

Antioxidant effect

1. Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine

Diabetes mellitus

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Preparations

Treculia africana has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts.

Extracts

1. Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine