Pod Mahogany

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Pod Mahogany
• pod-mahogany
• African Mahogany
• African-Mahogany
• Chamfute
• Chamfuti
• Chanfuta
• Luckybean
• Mahogany Bean Tree
• Mahoganybean
• Red-Mahogany
• Rhodesian Mahogany
• Rhodesian-Mahogany

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pahudia quanzensis
• Pahudia attenuata
• Afzelia petersiana
• Afzelia attenuata
• Afrafzelia petersiana
• Afrafzelia quanzensis
• Afrafzelia attenuata
• Intsia attenuata
• Intsia quanzensis
• Intsia petersiana

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 and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Afzelia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several key regions within the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its range extends into Northeast Tropical Africa, where it is present in Somalia. Furthermore, the species is common throughout East Tropical Africa, specifically inhabiting Kenya and Tanzania. Finally, its geographical presence continues through the neighboring territory of Uganda.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Afzelia quanzensis is defined by its presence in diverse tropical ecosystems, where it typically inhabits woodland, dense bushland, and the edges of dry evergreen forests. This species thrives across a specific altitudinal gradient, occurring at elevations ranging from a minimum of 75 m AMSL to a maximum of 945 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

945 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

75 m AMSL

Habitat :

woodland, dense bushland, dry evergreen forest (edges)

Life history

The life history of Afzelia quanziensis is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to establish a long-lived presence within its natural ecosystem. Throughout its developmental stages, the plant exhibits a deciduous growth habit, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal biological rhythm. This cycle of leaf senescence and regrowth is a fundamental aspect of its survival strategy, helping it manage environmental stressors over its extended lifespan.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

Morphologically, Afzelia quanzensis is a woody, self-supporting tree characterized by its substantial stature and independent growth habit. As a terrestrial species, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining an independent lifestyle in its natural habitat. The plant exhibits significant variation in size, with heights ranging from a minimum of 3.5 m to a maximum of 20 m, though it typically reaches a mean height of approximately 17.5 m. Its structural development is defined by a robust, woody growth form, typical of large forest or savanna trees.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

17.5 m

Plant height min:

3.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Afzelia quanzensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle during the light-independent reactions. As a member of the Fabaceae family, the plant also functions as a nitrogen fixer, establishing symbiotic relationships with rhizobia bacteria in its root nodules to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, thereby enhancing its nutrient uptake and growth in nitrogen-poor soils.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Afzelia quanzensis is primarily centered around the production and dispersal of its seeds, which exhibit significant morphological variation in size. The seed mass within this species is notably diverse, characterized by a mean mass of approximately 8.24719 g. This variability is further evidenced by a wide range of individual seed weights, with the minimum recorded mass being as low as 1.87679 g, while the maximum mass can reach up to 31.25 g. This substantial spread in seed mass plays a critical role in the plant's reproductive strategy and its ability to establish in various environmental conditions.

Seed mass max:

31.25 g

Seed mass mean:

8.24719 g

Seed mass min:

1.87679 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Afzelia quanzensis has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cardiac Glycosides, Flavonoids, Saponins, Steroids, Terpenoids.

Cardiac Glycosides

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Flavonoids

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Saponins

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Steroids

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Terpenoids

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Conditions

Afzelia quanzensis has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include anemia, cancer.

Anemia

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cancer

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Preparations

Afzelia quanzensis has 4 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extract, ethanolic extract, methanol extract, methanolic extract.

Aqueous extract

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Ethanolic extract

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Methanol extract

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Methanolic extract

1. International journal of molecular sciences