Vepris heterophylla

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Teclea campestris
• Teclea campestis
• Teclea sudanica
• Vepris sudanica
• Toddaliopsis heterophylla
• Teclea ferruginea
• Teclea heterophylla

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Vepris heterophyllą, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further organized into the order Sapindales and the family Rutaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Vepris.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily located within the diverse ecosystems of the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, its presence has been documented across the nations of Burkina, Ghana, Mali, and Niger. In addition to these West African territories, its range extends further into West-Central Tropical Africa. Within this central zone, the species can be found growing in Cameroon. Consequently, the geographical distribution of Vepris heterophyllia spans several key countries across the tropical belt of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Vepris heterophylla is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits consistent with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms. As a woody perennial, it maintains its perennating buds well above the ground level, allowing it to persist through unfavorable seasonal conditions. Its growth strategy as a phanerophyte ensures structural stability and longevity, while its specific positioning within the nanophanerophyte spectrum suggests a growth habit that, while woody, remains relatively compact or shrub-like in certain ecological contexts. This life form enables the plant to establish a permanent presence in its habitat, utilizing elevated buds to survive environmental stressors and facilitate continuous vegetative development.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Vepris heterophylla is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a tree or a shrub. This plant typically reaches a mean height of approximately 1.52 meters, though it is capable of reaching a maximum height of up to 3.05 meters. In terms of its structural habit, it is described as a self-supporting clamber, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. As a terrestrial species, it grows directly in the soil rather than as an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3.048037064 m

Plant height mean:

1.524018532 m

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Vepris heterophylla has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Diuretic, Toxic.

Antioxidant

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Diuretic

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Toxic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Vepris heterophylla has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include dermatitis, hypertension, nausea, urinary tract infections.

Most Reported Uses