shi tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Shea Butter Tree
• bambouk-buttertree
• galam-buttertree
• karite-nut
• shea
• shea-buttertree
• sheatree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lucuma paradoxa
• Butyrospermum paradoxum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Ericales and placed in the family Sapotaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Vitellaria, specifically as the species Vitellaria paradoxa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Vitellaria paradoxa, is widely distributed across the landscape of West Tropical Africa. Its presence is notably documented within the borders of Benin, where it plays a significant role in the local ecosystem. The species also thrives in the environments found throughout Burkina Faso. Furthermore, its geographical range extends into the territories of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, the plant can be found growing within the country of Guinea, completing its regional distribution.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Vitellaria paradoxa is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit. This plant follows a deciduous pattern, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal life cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Vitellaria paradoxa is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree. As a terrestrial species, it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting in its structure, lacking the climbing or vining habits found in lianas. In terms of stature, it reaches significant heights, with recorded measurements ranging from a minimum of 10 m to a maximum of 15 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 14.71 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

14.7147037306667 m

Plant height min:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vitellaria paradoxa is characterized by a complex metabolic framework designed for survival in the semi-arid environments of the African savannah. Its physiological processes are centered around efficient water management and carbon sequestration through a robust photosynthetic apparatus, which facilitates the production of its characteristic latex. The plant exhibits specialized secondary metabolism, directing significant energy toward the synthesis of triterpenoids and various bioactive compounds within its parenchymatous tissues. Regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, instead relying on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its extensive root system. This reliance on soil-derived nitrogen dictates its growth patterns and its ecological dependency on the nutrient cycling of its native habitat.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vitellaria paradoxa is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by insects, with bees playing a specific and significant role in the transfer of pollen. The plant possesses the biological capacity for self-fertilization, which aids in its reproductive success. Following successful pollination, it produces fleshy fruits that contain seeds with notable physical dimensions. The seeds exhibit a significant range in mass, with a minimum of 0.621 g, a maximum of 8.4 g, and a mean seed mass of approximately 6.427 g. Furthermore, the seed volume is highly consistent, measured at a constant value of 7800 mm³, representing both the minimum, maximum, and mean volume recorded for the species.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

8.4 g

Seed mass mean:

6.4268333335 g

Seed mass min:

0.621 g

Seed volume max:

7800 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Vitellaria paradoxa has 5 reported plant parts identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem, fruit, root, seed.

Leaf

1. Toxicology reports
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
3. Environmental toxicology and pharmacology
4. Fitoterapia

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Pharmacognosy research
3. Fitoterapia

Fruit

1. Pharmacognosy research
2. Fitoterapia

Root

1. Environmental toxicology and pharmacology
2. Fitoterapia

Seed

1. Fitoterapia
2. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Chemicals

Vitellaria paradoxa has 51 reported phytochemicals identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include FAT, 24-methylene-dammarenol, Anthocyanins, Anthraquinones, Ash.

FAT

1. Dr. Duke
2. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition

24-methylene-dammarenol

1. Dr. Duke

Anthocyanins

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Anthraquinones

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

Butyrospermol

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

Dammaradienol

1. Dr. Duke

Epicatechin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Euphol

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Vitellaria paradoxa has 184 reported activities identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antiproliferative.

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of burn care & research : official publication of the American Burn Association
3. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine
3. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition

Antibacterial

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
2. Fitoterapia

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Toxicology reports

Antiproliferative

1. Toxicology reports
2. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Hepatoprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Toxicology reports

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Adjuvant

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Vitellaria paradoxa has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include analgesic, antidiabetic, arthritis, cancer, cancers.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations