wild medlar

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• medlar
• Velvet Wild-medlar
• Wild Medlar
• wild-medlar
• African medlar / wild medlar

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Canthium infaustum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified under the order Gentianaales and falls into the family Rubiaceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Vangueria, where it is known as Vangueria infausta.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in Cameroon, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The species also extends into Northeast Tropical Africa, specifically within the territories of Sudan and South Sudan. Furthermore, its range reaches East Tropical Africa, where it can be found in Kenya. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive across diverse tropical environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vangueria infausta is characterized by its adaptability to diverse landscape types, commonly flourishing within riverine forests or woodlands, as well as in rocky bushlands and dense thickets. This species exhibits a significant vertical distribution across various landscapes, occupying an extensive elevational range that begins at altitudes as low as 20 m AMSL and extends to a maximum height of 3333 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

3333 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

20 m AMSL

Habitat :

riverine forest or -woodland, rocky bushland or thickets

Life history

The life history of Vangueria infausa is characterized by its status as a perennial species, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs well above the ground level, contributing to its structural dominance in its habitat. However, it can also be categorized under the nanophanerophyte life form, reflecting specific growth habits related to its height and branch structure. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, undergoing seasonal shedding of its foliage as part of its survival strategy and life cycle regulation.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vangueria infausta is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as both a shrub and a tree. As a terrestrial plant, it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting and does not exhibit climbing behavior. In terms of stature, it displays significant vertical variability, with heights ranging from a minimum of 2 m to a maximum of 7 m, resulting in a mean plant height of approximately 5.33 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

7 m

Plant height mean:

5.33333333333333 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vangueria infausta is characterized by metabolic processes adapted to its role within diverse ecosystems, involving complex mechanisms for nutrient acquisition and energy conversion. Its photosynthetic pathways are optimized for survival in varying light intensities and seasonal moisture availability, driving the synthesis of organic compounds necessary for growth and structural development. In terms of its relationship with soil nutrients, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its physiological nitrogen economy relies heavily on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root systems to support protein synthesis and enzymatic functions. This dependency on soil nitrogen availability dictates its distribution and competitive strategies within its natural habitat.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vangueria infausta is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily facilitated by insects, with bees playing a significant role in the pollination process. The plant produces fruit classified as a drupe, which is indehiscent, meaning it does not naturally split open at maturity to release its contents. The seeds contained within the fruit exhibit a mean mass of approximately 1.10446 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.20892 g to a maximum of 2 g. Furthermore, the seed volume is highly consistent, measured at a mean, minimum, and maximum of 740 mm³. Dispersal is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, where animals aid in the distribution of the seeds, ensuring the continued spread and colonization of the species.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit type :

drupe

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

2 g

Seed mass mean:

1.10446 g

Seed mass min:

0.20892 g

Seed volume max:

740 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Vangueria infausta has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit.

Leaf

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM
2. Methods and findings in experimental and clinical pharmacology

Fruit

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Vangueria infausta has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthraquinones, Flavonoids, Terpenoids.

Anthraquinones

1. Methods and findings in experimental and clinical pharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Methods and findings in experimental and clinical pharmacology

Terpenoids

1. Methods and findings in experimental and clinical pharmacology

Activities

Vangueria infausta has 2 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiplasmodial, Cytotoxic.

Antiplasmodial

1. Methods and findings in experimental and clinical pharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Medicinal Uses

Vangueria infausta has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Staphylococcus aureus, malaria, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations