Trichilia monadelpha

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Trichilia heudelotii
• Trichilia integrifilamenta
• Trichilia johannis
• Limonia monadelpha
• Trichilia acutifolia
• Trichilia candollei

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Meliaceae and the genus Trichilia. Specifically, this medicinal species is identified by its scientific name, Trichilia monadelpha.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Trichilia monadelpha, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented in several coastal and inland nations within this tropical zone. Specifically, it can be found growing in the territories of Benin and Ghana. The species also inhabits the landscapes of Guinea-Bissau and Guinea. Finally, its geographical range extends further south into the Ivory Coast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Trichilia monadelpha is characterized by its long-term survival as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated woody stems, a growth strategy that positions its canopy above the ground level. This species exhibits an evergreen deciduousness pattern, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year, providing continuous metabolic activity and structural stability. This combination of a perennial lifecycle and a phanerophyte life form enables the plant to establish a permanent and robust presence within its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Trichilia monadelpha is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that is entirely self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. This terrestrial species is an independent organism, meaning it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant vertical development, with a height that typically reaches a mean of 15 m, though individual specimens may range from a minimum of approximately 6.10 m to a maximum of about 18.29 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18.28822238 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Plant height min:

6.096074128 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Trichilia monadelpha is characterized by complex metabolic processes centered on efficient nutrient acquisition and photosynthetic efficiency within tropical forest ecosystems. As a woody perennial, its physiological framework relies on a robust vascular system for the long-distance transport of water and minerals from the rhizosphere to the canopy. Regarding its nitrogen metabolism, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. Consequently, its nitrogen uptake is strictly dependent on the assimilation of nitrates and ammonium ions available in the soil matrix through its root system. This dependency necessitates a highly efficient nutrient absorption mechanism to sustain its growth and secondary metabolite production. Furthermore, its physiological processes include regulated transpiration rates and carbon fixation pathways that allow it to maintain osmotic balance and optimize biomass accumulation in competitive, high-moisture environments.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Trichilia monadelpha is characterized by a flexible phenological cycle and a specialized biotic pollination strategy. The flowering period is highly variable, with the onset and conclusion of blooms occurring at different times throughout the year, potentially spanning from January through December. This reproductive process relies on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically utilizing insects, with bees identified as key pollinators. Following successful pollination, the fruiting stage begins around September and concludes within the same month, indicating a concentrated period of fruit maturation. The resulting seeds are uniform in size, maintaining a consistent seed mass with a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 0.5 g.

Flowering time :

variable

Fruiting time :

Sep

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.5 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Trichilia monadelpha 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 stem.

Stem

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Chemicals

Trichilia monadelpha has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ETHYL ACETATE, Flavonoids, PETROLEUM ETHER, Saponins, Tannins.

ETHYL ACETATE

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Flavonoids

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

PETROLEUM ETHER

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Saponins

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Tannins

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Terpenoids

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Conditions

Trichilia monadelpha has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include depression, epilepsy, pain, psychosis.

Depression

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Epilepsy

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Pain

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Psychosis

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Preparations

Trichilia monadelpha has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude extracts of the stem bark.

Crude extracts of the stem bark

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM