Turraeanthus africana (wrong spelling)

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• African White Mahogany

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Bingeria africana
• Turraeanthus klainei
• Guarea africana
• Turraeanthus zenkeri
• Turraeanthus malchairii
• Turraeanthus vignei

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Turraeanthus africanus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Sapindales and the family Meliaceae. Finally, it is placed in the genus Turraeanthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, it can be found growing within the borders of Ghana. Its natural habitat also extends into the territories of Guinea and the Ivory Coast. Furthermore, the species is documented to exist in Liberia. Finally, its geographical range includes the expansive landscapes of Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Turraeanthus africanus is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle within a single year. As a long-lived woody plant, it establishes a permanent presence in its native habitat, undergoing continuous cycles of growth, maturation, and reproduction. This perennial nature enables the species to develop significant structural complexity and robust root systems, which provide the stability and resource storage necessary to survive seasonal fluctuations and environmental stressors. Through its extended lifespan, the plant contributes to the long-term stability of its ecosystem, maintaining its biological functions and reproductive potential across successive years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Turraeanthus africanus is characterized by its robust growth form, specifically categorized as a woody tree. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic tendencies and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant is self-supporting in its structure, meaning it does not require climbing mechanisms such as vines or lianas to maintain its upright stature. In terms of dimensions, it is a significant specimen, with plant heights ranging from a minimum of approximately 12.19 meters to a maximum of about 33.53 meters, maintaining an average height of 25 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

33.52840771 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Plant height min:

12.19214826 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Turraeanthus africanus is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes and structural adaptations suited for its ecological niche. As a woody perennial, its physiological activities are driven by efficient photosynthetic pathways that support significant biomass accumulation and the synthesis of secondary metabolites, which are essential for its medicinal properties. The plant exhibits robust nutrient uptake mechanisms, yet it is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its nitrogen acquisition is strictly dependent on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil via its root system. Its water regulation and transpiration rates are managed through stomatal control, ensuring survival during periods of environmental stress, while its internal chemical signaling facilitates the production of bioactive compounds that define its pharmacological profile.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Turraeanthus africanus is characterized by a highly flexible flowering period and a specific fruiting window. The flowering time is considered variable, with the potential to initiate blooming across any month of the year, including January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December, and it maintains this variable duration until its end. The fruiting process follows a more concentrated schedule, with the fruiting start and end both specifically centered around the month of June. Regarding the dispersal units, the plant produces seeds with a highly consistent mass; the seed mass mean, maximum, and minimum are all recorded at 1.143 g, indicating a uniform seed size for this species.

Flowering time :

variable

Fruiting time :

Jun

Seed mass mean:

1.143 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Turraeanthus africanus has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Turraeanin I, Turraeanin F, Turraeanin G, Turraeanin H.

Turraeanin I

1. Phytochemistry

Turraeanin F

1. Phytochemistry

Turraeanin G

1. Phytochemistry

Turraeanin H

1. Phytochemistry

Conditions

Turraeanthus africanus has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include LDL cholesterol, triglyceride.

Ldl cholesterol

1. Andrologia

Triglyceride

1. Andrologia

Preparations

Turraeanthus africanus has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extract.

Aqueous extract

1. Andrologia