Earleaf acacia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Ear-leaf Acacia
• Darwin black wattle
• black wattle
• ear-pod wattle
• northern black wattle
• Akashmoni
• Common Acacia
• Earpod Wattle
• earleaf acacia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Racosperma auriculiforme

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 within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it falls under the family Fabaceae. Its specific scientific designation is found within the genus Acacia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in the countries of Benin, Guinea, and Nigeria. Its presence extends further into West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Additionally, the species is documented in the East Tropical Africa region, particularly in Tanzania. Collectively, these locations highlight the diverse ecological range of Acacia auriculiformis across the tropics.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Acacia auriculiformis is characterized by its high adaptability to diverse environmental conditions, particularly in disturbed or nutrient-poor landscapes. It thrives across a broad altitudinal gradient, occupying an elevational range from 0 m to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL. As a pioneer species, it is frequently found in tropical and subtropical regions, where it plays a crucial role in forest succession by colonizing open areas, degraded lands, and riparian zones. The species is well-adapted to various soil types, including sandy and acidic soils, and possesses a significant capacity to endure both waterlogged conditions and periods of drought. Through its symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its root nodules, it enhances soil fertility, facilitating the establishment of subsequent plant communities in ecosystems where nitrogen levels are limiting.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Acacia auriculiformis is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated structures, typically forming a woody tree or shrub form that keeps its buds well above the ground level. This life form, specifically categorized under both phanerophyte classifications, ensures its survival and structural dominance in its natural habitat. Throughout its existence, the plant exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, maintaining its foliage year-round rather than shedding it seasonally, which facilitates continuous photosynthetic activity.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Acacia auriculiformis is characterized by a woody growth form that primarily manifests as a tree, though it can occasionally exhibit a shrub-like habit. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber or a liana, and it exists as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The species is strictly terrestrial, lacking any aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant displays significant vertical development, with heights ranging from a minimum of 10 m to a maximum of 28 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 25 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

28 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Plant height min:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Acacia auriculiformis is characterized by its efficient metabolic processes and specialized nutrient acquisition strategies. It utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. A defining physiological feature of this species is its symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, typically from the genus Rhizobium, which inhabit specialized root nodules. This biological nitrogen fixation allows the plant to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, providing a significant competitive advantage in nitrogen-deficient soils. This combination of C3 carbon assimilation and active nitrogen fixation enables the plant to maintain robust growth and high biomass production even in nutrient-poor environments.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Acacia auriculiformis is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying primarily on insect vectors to facilitate the transfer of pollen. This entomophilous process ensures genetic diversity through targeted biological interactions rather than abiotic factors like wind or water. Once fertilization is successful, the plant produces seeds with a highly specific mass profile. The individual seed mass typically ranges from a minimum of 0.0112 g to a maximum of 0.025 g, with a calculated mean seed mass of approximately 0.019674 g. This precise seed weight distribution is a critical component of its reproductive strategy and subsequent dispersal mechanisms.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.025 g

Seed mass mean:

0.019674 g

Seed mass min:

0.0112 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Acacia auriculiformis has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed, stem.

Seed

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Stem

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Acacia auriculiformis has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin, TOCOPHEROL, linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid.

Betulin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

TOCOPHEROL

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

linoleic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

oleic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

palmitic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

polyphenols

1. Teratogenesis, carcinogenesis, and mutagenesis

sterol

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Acacia auriculiformis has 3 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimutagenic, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antimutagenic

1. Teratogenesis, carcinogenesis, and mutagenesis

Antioxidant

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Conditions

Acacia auriculiformis has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, chronic myelogenous leukemia, leukemia.

Cancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chronic myelogenous leukemia

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Leukemia

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Acacia auriculiformis has 3 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include bark powder, hexane-extracted oils of ripe seeds, stem bark.

Bark powder

1. Teratogenesis, carcinogenesis, and mutagenesis

Hexane-extracted oils of ripe seeds

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Stem bark

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)