Adenanthera pavonina

Red sandalwood

Adenanthera pavonina, commonly known as the Bird of Paradise pea, is a resilient legume native to various tropical regions. Beyond its striking ornamental beauty, this plant holds significant ethnobotanical value. It is traditionally utilized in folk medicine for its potential bioactive properties, offering intriguing possibilities for modern pharmacological research.

  • Scientific name: Adenanthera pavonina
  • Family: Fabaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. It is further categorized under the genus Adenanthera, specifically known as the species Adenanthera pavonina.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Fabales WCVP
Family Fabaceae WCVP
Genus Adenanthera WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Adenanthera pavonina, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In Dhivehi, it is referred to as މަދൊྵി, while in Portuguese, it is known as Carolina. Its names in Chinese vary slightly by script and region, being called 海红豆 in Simplified Chinese (zh-hans) and 海紅豆 in both Traditional Chinese (zh-hant) and the Cantonese usage of Hong Kong (zh-hk).
Language Common Name Source
dv މަދޮށި Wikidata
zh-hans 海红豆 Wikidata
zh-hant 海紅豆 Wikidata
zh-hk 海紅豆 Wikidata
pt Carolina Wikidata
jv Sogok telik Wikidata
pl Gruczołkowiec pawi Wikidata
ta மஞ்சாடி Wikidata
th มะกล่ำตาช้าง Wikidata
ms Pokok Saga Daun Tumpul Wikidata

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the coastal and inland regions of West Tropical Africa. Within this specific geographic zone, it can be found growing in the nation of Ghana. Its range also extends through the territories of Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. Furthermore, the species is documented to inhabit parts of Sierra Leone. Finally, the distribution of this medicinal plant includes the expansive landscapes of Nigeria.

Region Area Source
West Tropical Africa Ghana WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea-Bissau WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea WCVP
West Tropical Africa Nigeria WCVP
West Tropical Africa Sierra Leone WCVP
West Tropical Africa Togo WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Cameroon WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Gulf of Guinea Is. WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa DR Congo WCVP
Northeast Tropical Africa Chad WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known scientifically as Adenanthera pavonina, possesses various components that are studied for their potential therapeutic properties. The medicinal potential is often concentrated in the leaves, specifically within the chemical compounds found in the leaves of Adenanthera pavoninina. Researchers frequently utilize leaf extracts to isolate bioactive substances, exploring how these concentrated forms might interact with biological systems. Furthermore, the overall health and vitality of the plant are reflected in its leaves, which serve as the primary site for photosynthesis and secondary metabolite production. While much focus remains on the foliage, the seed also represents a vital part of the plant's life cycle and reproductive strategy.
Total parts
5
Scientific sources
5
Plant Part Sources Confidence
seed 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaves of Adenanthera pavonina 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaf extracts 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Adenanthera pavonina has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2,4,4,7a-Tetramethyl-1-(3-oxobutyl)octahydro-1H-indene-2-carboxylic acid, Diazoprogesterone, EtOAc, MeOH, caffeic acid.

Total chemicals
16
Scientific sources
16

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
2,4,4,7a-Tetramethyl-1-(3-oxobutyl)octahydro-1H-indene-2-carboxylic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Diazoprogesterone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
EtOAc 1 ★☆☆☆☆
MeOH 1 ★☆☆☆☆
caffeic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
chlorogenic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
coumarin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gallic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
p-coumaric acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Adenanthera pavonina has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diabetes mellitus, dysentery.

Total uses
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
diabetes mellitus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dysentery 1 ★☆☆☆☆