Wild-Frangipani

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Wild-Frangipani

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cyclostigma natalense
• Orchipeda dregei
• Orchipeda thouarsii
• Piptolaena dregei
• Annularia natalensis
• Voacanga dregei
• Voacanga thouarsii var. dregei
• Voacanga obtusa
• Voacanga thouarsii var. obtusa

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. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianaales, falling into the family Apocynaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Voacanga.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to specific regions within West Tropical Africa. Its presence is documented in the nation of Burkina. Additionally, it can be found growing in the Gambia and throughout Ghana. The distribution extends further to include Guinea-Bissau. Finally, the species is also known to inhabit the country of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Voacanage thouarsii is characterized by its preference for specific lowland environments, primarily thriving within riverine forests or dense bush and swamp ecosystems. It occupies a low-altitude niche, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 460 m AMSL. This distribution pattern indicates that the species is well-adapted to moist, water-proximate habitats, where the high water table and riparian conditions of swamps and riverbanks provide the necessary environmental stability for its growth.

Elevational range max:

460 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

riverine forest or bush, swamps

Life history

The life history of Voacanca thouarsii is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. As a member of the phanerophyte life forms, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit within its native tropical habitats. Specifically, it functions as a phanerophyte, maintaining its photosynthetic structures on elevated branches which assists in its survival and competitive positioning within complex forest layers.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Voacanca thouarsii is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that is entirely self-supporting, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. This terrestrial plant exhibits significant structural dimensions, with a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 17 meters, maintaining an average height of approximately 12.5 meters. As a self-supporting woody species, it does not exhibit climbing habits such as lianas or vines, instead establishing a stable, upright stature within its terrestrial habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

17 m

Plant height mean:

12.5 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Voacança thouarsii is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and metabolic efficiency within its tropical habitat. As a non-nitrogen-fixing species, the plant lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, meaning it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to satisfy its nutritional requirements. This dependency on soil nitrogen availability influences its growth patterns and nutrient management strategies within its ecosystem.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Voacanga thouarsii has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Genome biology and evolution

Chemicals

Voacanga thouarsii has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CORONARIDINE, IBOGAINE, Tabersonine, Voacangine, Voacristine.

CORONARIDINE

1. Planta

IBOGAINE

1. Planta

Tabersonine

1. Genome biology and evolution

Voacangine

1. Planta

Voacristine

1. Planta

heyneanine

1. Planta