Triplochiton scleroxylon

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant, Triplochiton scleroxylon, is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Within this broad area, its presence is specifically noted in the country of Benin. It can also be found growing throughout the nation of Ghana. Furthermore, the species extends its range into Guinea and the Ivory Coast. Finally, its geographical footprint includes the territory of Liberia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Triplochiton scleroxylon is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation typical of its life form. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal physiological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Triplochiton scleroxylon is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree that exhibits a self-supporting growth form. This species is strictly terrestrial and functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. As a substantial tree, it can reach an impressive mean height of 37.5 m, with maximum recorded heights extending up to approximately 60.96 m. Its structural development is defined by its woody nature, providing the necessary rigidity for its significant vertical growth.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

60.96074128 m

Plant height mean:

37.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Triplochiton scleroxylon is characterized by specialized metabolic processes adapted to its specific ecological niche, particularly regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies. In terms of its relationship with soil nutrients, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its physiological reliance on nitrogen is dictated by the availability of nitrates and ammonium within the soil substrate through root uptake mechanisms. The plant's metabolic efficiency is closely tied to its ability to manage resource allocation in environments where nutrient cycling may be limited. Furthermore, its physiological resilience is supported by its structural adaptations, which facilitate efficient water transport and carbon fixation, allowing it to maintain cellular homeostasis and metabolic activity under varying environmental stressors.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Triplochiton scleroxylon is characterized by specific seed morphological traits and a specialized dispersal mechanism. The seeds produced by this species exhibit a relatively uniform size distribution, with a minimum seed mass of 0.2924 g and a maximum seed mass of 0.31 g, resulting in a calculated mean seed mass of 0.3012 g. In terms of its reproductive strategy for offspring distribution, the plant utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning its seeds are primarily dispersed by the wind to colonize new habitats.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Seed mass max:

0.31 g

Seed mass mean:

0.3012 g

Seed mass min:

0.2924 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Triplochiton scleroxylon 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. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Conditions

Triplochiton scleroxylon has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer.

Cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology