Turraea robusta

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Turraea goetzei
• Turraea volkensii
• Turraea squamulifera
• Turraea sacleuxii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Turraea robusta, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Sapindales and the family Meliaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Turraea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the diverse landscapes of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in both Cameroon and the DR Congo. Its range also extends significantly into East Tropical Africa. Specifically, the species is documented within the borders of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. These various regions provide the specific tropical environments necessary for its natural occurrence.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Turraea robusta is characterized by its presence in specific transitional and moisture-rich environments, primarily occupying the wooded grassland ecotone. In these areas, the species thrives where the structural complexity of grasslands meets the density of woody vegetation, allowing it to exploit the unique light and nutrient dynamics of such transition zones. Furthermore, it is frequently found within riverine forest ecosystems, where the proximity to water bodies provides the necessary hydrological stability and soil moisture levels required for its development. This dual affinity for both ecotonal landscapes and riparian corridors suggests a preference for habitats that offer a balance of open light availability and consistent moisture availability.

Habitat :

woodedgrasslandecotone,also(riverine)forest

Life history

The life history of Turraea robusta is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years rather than completing its cycle within a single growing season. As a long-lived woody plant, it undergoes a continuous developmental process that includes established vegetative growth phases and recurring reproductive cycles. This perennial nature enables the plant to build significant biomass and develop a robust structural framework, which supports its long-term survival and ability to withstand seasonal environmental fluctuations. Over its lifespan, the plant transitions from a juvenile stage through various stages of maturity, maintaining its presence in the ecosystem through sustained physiological activity and periodic flowering and fruiting events.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Turraea robusta is characterized by its robust, woody growth form, specifically categorized as a tree. This self-supporting species is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant vertical development, with heights ranging from a minimum of 2 m to a mean height of approximately 8 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

8 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Turraea robusta is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit a highly uniform physical profile. The reproductive output is defined by a consistent seed mass, which maintains a mean value of 0.04 g. This stability is further evidenced by the lack of variance in seed weight, as both the maximum and minimum recorded seed mass values are identical at 0.04 g. Such precise uniformity in seed mass suggests a highly regulated developmental process during the maturation of the seeds within the fruit.

Seed mass mean:

0.04 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Turraea robusta 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. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Turraea robusta has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 11-epi-Toonacilin, Azadironolide, Piscidinol A, Toonapubesin F, triterpenoids.

11-epi-Toonacilin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Azadironolide

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Piscidinol A

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Toonapubesin F

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

triterpenoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Turraea robusta has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiplasmodial, Cytotoxic.

Antiplasmodial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Turraea robusta has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium berghei, Plasmodium falciparum, anti-malarial, malaria.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations