Toiing

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Toiing

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Russelia capensis
• Bistella capensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Vahliales, it is classified under the family Vahliaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Vahlia, with its species name being Vahlia capensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across several regions of Southern and South Tropical Africa. Specifically, its range extends into the nation of Angola within the South Tropical Africa zone. It is also documented to grow throughout Mozambique and Zambia. Furthermore, the species can be found within the borders of Zimbabwe. Finally, its distribution reaches into Botswana, marking its presence in the Southern Africa region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vahlia capensis is characterized by its presence across a diverse altitudinal gradient, allowing it to inhabit a wide variety of topographical settings. This species is found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 40 m AMSL to a maximum of 1525 m AMSL. This broad vertical distribution suggests an adaptability to varying climatic conditions, spanning from warmer, lowland environments to cooler, montane habitats. Such a wide elevational range indicates that the plant can tolerate fluctuations in temperature, atmospheric pressure, and moisture availability typical of these different altitude zones.

Elevational range max:

1525 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

40 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Vahlia capensis is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons within its natural habitat. As a perennial, the plant does not complete its reproductive cycle in a single year but instead establishes a long-term presence, often developing robust structural components that support its continued growth and survival over time. This enduring lifecycle enables the plant to navigate seasonal fluctuations and invest energy into sustained vegetative development and periodic reproductive efforts, ensuring its long-term stability within its ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

Morphologically, Vahlia capensis is characterized as a non-woody herb with a growth form classified as both a herb and a forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing behavior, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The species is terrestrial in its ecological habit, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a relatively diminutive profile, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.07 meters to a maximum of 0.4 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height min:

0.07 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Vahlia capensis has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Afzelin, Astragalin, Gallic acid, Isoquercitrin, RUTIN.

Afzelin

1. Planta medica

Astragalin

1. Planta medica

Gallic acid

1. Planta medica

Isoquercitrin

1. Planta medica

RUTIN

1. Planta medica

chiro-inositol

1. Planta medica

dulcitol

1. Planta medica

kaempferol

1. Planta medica

quercetin

1. Planta medica

quercitrin

1. Planta medica

Activities

Vahlia capensis has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial.

Antibacterial

1. Planta medica

Preparations

Vahlia capensis has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include n-butanol fraction.

N-butanol fraction

1. Planta medica