Formosa acacia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Formosan koa
• Acacia Petit Feuille
• Formosa koa
• Small Philippine Acacia
• Taiwan Acacia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Racosperma confusum
• Acacia confusa var. inamuroi

Regional and Traditional Names

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 Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Acacia, specifically as the species Acacia confusa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across both the Western Indian Ocean and several regions of China. Within the Western Indian Ocean, it can be found growing in the island nations of Mauritius and the Seychelles. Moving to East Asia, the species is established in the South-Central part of China. It also maintains a presence in the Southeast regions of the country. Finally, its range extends to the tropical island province of Hainan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Acacia confusa is characterized by its highly specific niche specialization, as it is strictly confined to a narrow altitudinal band. This species thrives within a precise elevational range, occurring exclusively at 1200 m AMSL. Because its minimum and maximum elevation limits coincide at this exact point, the plant exists in a specialized montane or mid-altitude ecological zone, likely dictated by specific temperature gradients, atmospheric pressure, or moisture availability unique to that altitude. This restricted vertical distribution suggests that the species is highly sensitive to environmental shifts, relying on the stable climatic conditions found specifically at the 1200-meter mark to sustain its growth and reproductive cycles.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Genetics

The genetics of Acacia confusa are characterized by a specific chromosomal configuration that defines its cytogenetic profile. This species possesses a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 26, a fundamental genetic datum that serves as a key taxonomic marker within its genus. This stable chromosomal count influences the plant's reproductive biology, meiotic stability, and evolutionary divergence from closely related taxa. Such genetic parameters are essential for understanding the genome organization and the potential for polyploidy or chromosomal rearrangements that may occur during the adaptation of the species to diverse environmental niches.

Chromosome number :

26

Life history

The life history of Acacia confusa is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem over multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit. This species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, retaining its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally. Its physiological classification as a phanerophyte is consistently reflected in its robust, woody architecture, which supports its long-term survival within its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Acacia confusa is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, typically reaching a mean height of 10 m, though it can attain a maximum height of up to 15 m. As a self-supporting organism, it does not exhibit climbing behavior such as a liana or vine, nor does it function as a climber. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, and it does not grow as an epiphyte (whether holoepiphyte, hemiepiphyte, or otherwise). Furthermore, it is an independent species that does not exhibit parasitic tendencies, maintaining a robust, woody structure throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Acacia confusa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Its foliar morphology features narrow leaves with a length ranging from a minimum of 6 cm to a maximum of 11 cm, while the leaf width is constrained between 0.5 cm and 0.8 cm. In terms of structural composition, the plant exhibits a mean stem specific density (SSD) of 875 mg/cm³, reflecting the density and strength of its woody tissues. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer.

Leaf length max:

11 cm

Leaf length min:

6 cm

Leaf width max:

0.8 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

875 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Acacia confusa is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily involving insects, with a specific reliance on bees to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops fruit in the form of a pod. These pods exhibit variable dimensions, with a length ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 10 cm, and a width ranging from 0.7 cm to 1 cm. The fruit is characterized as being dehiscent, meaning it splits open to release its contents. The seeds produced within the pods are relatively small, featuring a maximum seed length and width of 5 mm. The mass of these seeds varies, with a minimum weight of 0.026 g, a maximum of 0.036 g, and an average seed mass of 0.031 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Fruit length max:

10 cm

Fruit length min:

5 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

1 cm

Fruit width min:

0.7 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

5 mm

Seed mass max:

0.036 g

Seed mass mean:

0.031 g

Seed mass min:

0.026 g

Seed width max:

5 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Acacia confusa 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 flower, seed.

Flower

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Seed

1. Biochemical and biophysical research communications

Chemicals

Acacia confusa has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 7,3',4'-Trihydroxyflavone, 7,3',4'-trihydroxy-3-methoxyflavone, 7,8,3',4'-tetrahydroxyflavone, 7,8,3'-trihydroxy-3,4'-dimethoxyflavone, Europetin 3-rhamnoside.

7,3',4'-Trihydroxyflavone

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

7,3',4'-trihydroxy-3-methoxyflavone

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

7,8,3',4'-tetrahydroxyflavone

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

7,8,3'-trihydroxy-3,4'-dimethoxyflavone

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Europetin 3-rhamnoside

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Gallic acid

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Melanoxetin

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Myricetin 3-rhamnoside

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Okanin

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Quercetin 3-rhamnoside

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Preparations