Smooth Wild-medlar

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Smooth Wild-medlar
• Spanish-tamarind
• tamarind-of-the-Indies
• Bush Medlar
• Smooth-Leaved Wild-Medlar

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianaales, it is further classified under the family Rubiaceae. Its specific taxonomic identification is placed within the genus Vangueria, specifically as the species Vangueria madagascariensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found inhabiting the territories of Benin and Ghana. Its presence extends further into the West Tropical Africa zone through the country of Mali. Additionally, the species is documented within the borders of Nigeria. Finally, its range reaches into West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically within the Central African Republic.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vangueria madagascariensis is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse altitudinal gradient, ranging from low-lying areas at 65 m AMSL to higher elevations reaching up to 1525 m AMSL. This wide vertical distribution allows the species to inhabit various microclimates within its range. Furthermore, its habitat preferences include anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica), indicating a degree of adaptability to environments modified by human activity, where it can persist alongside human-influenced landscapes.

Elevational range max:

1525 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

65 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Vangueria madagascariensis is characterized by its status as a perennial species, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its reproductive shoots well above the ground, a trait complemented by its classification as a nanophanerophyte, which indicates a relatively low-growing woody structure compared to larger forest trees. Throughout its existence, the plant exhibits an evergreen deciduousness pattern, meaning it retains its foliage year-round rather than shedding leaves seasonally, allowing for continuous metabolic activity and photosynthetic capability.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vangueria madagascariensis is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub. This species is a terrestrial plant that functions independently, showing no parasitic behavior. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant vertical variability, with plant heights ranging from a minimum of 1.5 m to a maximum of 15 m, maintaining a mean height of approximately 7.5 m. Although it possesses a self-supporting structural habit rather than acting as a liana, vine, or obligatory climber, its robust woody development allows it to maintain its upright position in its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

7.5 m

Plant height min:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vangueria madagascariensis is characterized by metabolic processes adapted to its specific ecological niche, focusing on efficient nutrient uptake and resource management. In terms of its symbiotic relationships and nutrient cycling, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules required to host diazotrophic bacteria for atmospheric nitrogen conversion. Consequently, its physiological nitrogen acquisition relies on the absorption of nitrates and ammonium ions from the soil through an extensive root system. Its metabolic activity supports robust growth and structural development, driven by photosynthetic pathways that facilitate carbon assimilation to sustain its vegetative and reproductive cycles.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vangueria madagascariensis is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms rather than abiotic factors to facilitate fertilization. Specifically, the plant utilizes insect-based pollination, with a notable emphasis on bees as key pollinators. Once fertilization occurs, the resulting seeds exhibit highly consistent physical properties, characterized by a uniform seed mass with both a minimum and maximum value of approximately 1.30983 g. Furthermore, the seeds maintain a constant volume, with a minimum, maximum, and mean seed volume all measured at 1000 mm³, indicating a standardized reproductive output in terms of seed size and density.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

1.30983 g

Seed volume max:

1000 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Fruit

1. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine

Leaf

1. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine

Chemicals

Vangueria madagascariensis has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Alcohols, Esters, Terpenoids, aldehydes, chloramphenicol.

Alcohols

1. Scientifica

Esters

1. Scientifica

Terpenoids

1. Scientifica

aldehydes

1. Scientifica

chloramphenicol

1. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine

gentamicin

1. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine

ketones

1. Scientifica

Activities

Vangueria madagascariensis has 7 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticonvulsant, Antidiabetic, Antifungal, Antimalarial.

Antibacterial

1. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine
2. Scientifica

Anticonvulsant

1. Scientifica

Antidiabetic

1. Scientifica

Antifungal

1. Scientifica

Antimalarial

1. Scientifica

Antioxidant

1. Scientifica

Antiplasmodial

1. Scientifica

Medicinal Uses

Vangueria madagascariensis has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include bacterial infections, malaria, pain, parasitic worms, skin diseases.

Most Reported Uses