Zanthoxylum chalybeum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Fagara chalybea

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Rutaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Zanthoxylum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse distribution across several key regions of the African continent. Within West-Central Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Moving toward Northeast Tropical Africa, the species is also found inhabiting the landscapes of Ethiopia. Its range extends further into this northeastern region to include the territory of Somalia. Finally, the geographical footprint of this medicinal plant encompasses the areas of Sudan and South Sudan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Zanthoxylum chalybeum is characterized by its presence in diverse, often rugged landscapes, ranging from semi-evergreen forests to dry bushland. This species frequently colonizes rocky sites and thrives within the complex structures of wooded grasslands, dry forests, and dense thickets, particularly those located in close proximity to the sea. Its ability to inhabit these varied environments suggests an adaptation to fluctuating moisture levels and varied soil compositions found in transitional coastal and inland ecosystems.

Habitat :

semi-evergreen or dry bushland, often rocky sites, wooded grassland, dry forest and thickets near sea

Life history

The life history of Xanthoxylum chalybeum is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Its physiological cycle includes a deciduous phase, meaning it sheds its foliage periodically, typically in response to seasonal changes or environmental stressors. This combination of a long-term perennial lifecycle and a deciduous growth habit dictates its seasonal rhythms of growth, dormancy, and regeneration.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Zanthoxylum chalybeum is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, typically reaching a mean plant height of approximately 9 m. As a self-supporting organism, it functions as an independent species rather than a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial life habit. Its growth form is consistently that of a tree, exhibiting a robust, woody structure suitable for its terrestrial environment.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

9 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Xanthoxylum chalybeum is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutritional strategies. It utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it fixes carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle using the enzyme Rubisco, a characteristic typical of most woody perennial species in temperate and subtropical climates. Furthermore, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer; it does not possess a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (such as rhizobia) to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and therefore relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium directly from the soil through its root system to satisfy its nutritional requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Xanthoxylum chalybeum is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by animal vectors rather than abiotic forces. The process relies on insect-mediated pollination, with a specific emphasis on bees as key pollinators to ensure the transfer of genetic material. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a reproductive strategy where self-fertilization is absent, necessitating the involvement of these insect vectors to facilitate cross-pollination and maintain genetic diversity within the species.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Zanthoxylum chalybeum has 3 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf, stem.

Root

1. Journal of intercultural ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of diabetes research
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaf

1. Journal of intercultural ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of parasitology research

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Zanthoxylum chalybeum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Tannins, Terpenoids.

Flavonoids

1. Heliyon

Tannins

1. Heliyon

Terpenoids

1. Heliyon

Activities

Zanthoxylum chalybeum has 1 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial.

Antimalarial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Zanthoxylum chalybeum has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include malaria, breast cancer, dental caries, fungal infections, opportunistic infections.

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Acta tropica

Breast cancer

1. Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare

Dental caries

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fungal infections

1. Journal of intercultural ethnopharmacology

Opportunistic infections

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Periodontal diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Zanthoxylum chalybeum has 16 reported preparations identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts, 70 % hydroethanolic extracts, Aqueous and organic extracts, aqueous extract, aqueous extracts.

Extracts

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Scientific reports
3. Frontiers in toxicology

70 % hydroethanolic extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous and organic extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous extract

1. Planta medica

Aqueous extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous root bark extract

1. Journal of diabetes research

Boiling plant parts especially the leaves and roots

1. Journal of intercultural ethnopharmacology

Crude extracts

1. African health sciences

Essential oils

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Leaves

1. Journal of parasitology research