Umtundulu

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Umtundulu
• Wing-Bean
• Wing-Pod
• Wingbean
• wingpod

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ostryoderris stuhlmannii
• Xeroderris chevalieri
• Xeroderris stuhlmannii
• Ostryoderris chevalieri
• Derris stuhlmannii
• Deguelia stuhlmannii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following its subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is completed by its classification under the genus Aganope.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Within this geographic zone, it can be found growing in the country of Benin. Its range also extends northward into the territory of Burkina. Additionally, the species is documented in the coastal nations of Gambia and Ghana. Finally, its presence is noted within the borders of Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aganope stuhlmannii is characterized by its preference for deciduous woodland and bush environments, where it thrives within these specific vegetative structures. This species occupies a distinct altitudinal gradient, establishing itself at elevations ranging from a minimum of 200 m AMSL to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Habitat :

deciduous woodland and bush

Life history

The life history of Agapanthus stuhlmannii is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located on elevated stems well above the ground level, a structural trait that defines its primary life form. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage in response to seasonal environmental changes or periods of dormancy.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Agapanthus stuhlmannii is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree that functions as a self-supporting structure. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic or aquatic tendencies and grows independently without parasitic requirements. The plant's height varies significantly depending on environmental conditions, ranging from a minimum of 5 meters to a maximum of 18 meters, with an average height of approximately 12 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Plant height min:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Agapanthus stuhlmannii is characterized by a specialized metabolic framework and nutrient acquisition strategy. This species utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common mechanism in many temperate and subtropical plants where carbon fixation occurs directly through the Calvin cycle without the spatial or temporal separation seen in C4 or CAM plants. In terms of nutrient cycling, the plant functions as a nitrogen fixer, possessing the physiological capability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form, which enhances its ability to thrive in nitrogen-limited environments and contributes to the overall fertility of its immediate ecosystem.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Aganope stuhlmannii is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying primarily on insect vectors to facilitate the transfer of pollen. This biological interaction ensures the successful fertilization required for seed production. Once fertilization occurs, the plant produces seeds that exhibit notable variation in size; the individual seed mass ranges from a minimum of 0.249 g to a maximum of 0.77249 g, with an average seed mass of approximately 0.4730225 g.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.77249 g

Seed mass mean:

0.4730225 g

Seed mass min:

0.249 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Aganope stuhlmannii has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem.

Stem

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Chemicals

Aganope stuhlmannii has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Odoratin, phenol.

Odoratin

1. Pharmaceutical biology

phenol

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Preparations

Aganope stuhlmannii has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include hydroalcoholic extract.

Hydroalcoholic extract

1. Pharmaceutical biology