Trichilia rubescens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Trichilia papillosa
• Trichilia laurentii
• Trichilia derumieri
• Trichilia batesii

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Sapindales and the family Meliaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by its membership in the genus Trichilia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern primarily centered within the tropical regions of Africa. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in Nigeria. The species also extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it can be found in Cabinda. Furthermore, it inhabits the Central African Republic and Cameroon within the same West-Central zone. Finally, its geographical range includes the Congo, marking its presence across these diverse tropical territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Trichilia rubescens is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As an evergreen species, it maintains its foliage throughout the year, providing continuous photosynthetic activity and structural stability without the seasonal shedding typical of deciduous plants. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and constant leaf retention enables the plant to establish a stable presence within its ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Trichilia rubescens is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically classified as a tree. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber (such as a vine or liana) or an epiphyte, but rather exists as an independent organism in a terrestrial habitat. The plant's stature varies significantly depending on environmental conditions, with recorded heights ranging from a minimum of approximately 3.66 meters to a maximum of 8 meters, though it reaches a mean height of approximately 15 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Plant height min:

3.657644477 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Trichilia rubescens is characterized by its metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies, which are typical of many woody species within the Meliaceae family. Its physiological framework involves complex carbon fixation through photosynthesis to support its growth and secondary metabolite production, which are essential for its medicinal properties. In terms of nutrient cycling and soil interaction, the plant does not exhibit the capacity for biological nitrogen fixation; it is not a nitrogen fixer and lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms. Instead, it relies on the uptake of available nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system to support its protein synthesis and overall physiological development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Trichilia rubescens follows a distinct seasonal cycle characterized by specific phenological phases for flowering and fruiting. The flowering period typically commences in February and continues through April, though the exact timing can remain variable depending on environmental conditions. Following the successful pollination of its flowers, the plant transitions into its fruiting stage, which begins in May. The development of the fruit concludes by June, marking the end of its primary reproductive cycle for the season.

Flowering time :

Feb

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruiting time :

May

Fruiting time :

Jun

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Trichilia rubescens has 1 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.

Leaf

1. Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy
2. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Chemicals

Trichilia rubescens has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include TRICHIRUBINE A, TS1, Limonin, TR3, TR4.

TRICHIRUBINE A

1. Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy
2. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

TS1

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology
2. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Limonin

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

TR3

1. PloS one

TR4

1. PloS one

TR9

1. PloS one

TRICHIRUBINE B

1. Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy

TS3

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Activities

Trichilia rubescens has 3 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antiviral, Hepatoprotective.

Anticancer

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Antiviral

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Hepatoprotective

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Conditions

Trichilia rubescens has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include hepatoma.

Hepatoma

1. PloS one

Preparations

Trichilia rubescens has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanolic crude extract of T. rubescens leaves, methylene chloride/methanol extracts of Trichilia rubescens leaves.

Methanolic crude extract of t. rubescens leaves

1. Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy

Methylene chloride/methanol extracts of trichilia rubescens leaves

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences