SafePlants

Clappertonia ficifolia: An Overview

Clappertonia ficifolia, commonly known as Bolo Bolo, is a fascinating plant with a rich history and distribution across tropical Africa. This page delves into its taxonomy, habitat, and notable characteristics.

Considerations for Pets

• The text mentions that young Clappertonia have orange-brown hairy branches and leaf stalks. These features may be attractive to pets who might chew or ingest them.

Considerations for Children

• The text mentions that young Clappertonia have orange-brown hairy branches and leaf stalks. These features may be attractive to young children who might chew or ingest them.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Clappertonia ficifolia (Willd.) Decne.
• Common Name: Bolo Bolo
• Family: Malvaceae (formerly Tiliaceae according to some sources)
• Subfamily: Grewioideae
• Synonyms: Honckenya ficifolia

Distribution and Habitat

• Clappertonia ficifolia is widespread in continental tropical Africa, ranging from Senegal to Sudan, and south to Angola and Mozambique.
• Specific countries include Mali, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire), South Sudan, and Uganda.
• The plant thrives in swampy grasslands, marshy places, stream-banks, valleys, and even fallow rice fields at altitudes of 1100-1200 meters.

Morphological Characteristics

• Clappertonia ficifolia is described as a large shrub, typically growing to a height of 5-10 feet.
• Young plants have orange-brown hairy branches and leaf stalks (petioles).
• Leaves are arranged alternately and can be 3-7 lobed.

Ecological Role

• It grows in swampy grassland, marshy places, stream-banks, valley, and fallow rice fields and forest fringes, and thickets on margins of damp depressions.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Grasshoppers have been observed on Clappertonia ficifolia in Nigeria.

Quirky Facts

• The species name "ficifolia" means "leaves like those of Ficus," referring to the similarity in leaf shape to some fig trees.
• The plant's fibers are traditionally used in West Africa to attach the skin to drums.

Further Information

• Specimen records and further information may be available from the National Herbarium, National Museum of Natural History, MRC 166, PO Box 37012, Washington, DC 20013-7012 USA.
• The Plant List includes taxonomic information on the genus Clappertonia.
• EEB Greenhouse Accession Data may contain further information.