Peacock Flower

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Peacock Flower

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sassa gummifera

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. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, placing it in the family Fabaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Albizia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in the countries of Benin, Gambia, and Guinea. Its presence continues through the West Tropical Africa region into Nigeria. Additionally, the species extends its range into West-Central Tropical Africa. Specifically, this part of its geographical reach includes the nation of Burundi.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Albizia gummifera is primarily defined by its specialized niche within the forest ecosystem, where it functions as a vital component of the woodland structure. Thriving in these forested environments, the species relies on the complex biological interactions and microclimates provided by the canopy and understory layers. Its presence within the forest habitat suggests an adaptation to specific soil moisture levels, shaded or semi-shaded light conditions, and the nutrient cycling processes characteristic of established woodland communities. By occupying this habitat, the plant contributes to the local biodiversity, interacting with various soil microbiota and forest fauna that facilitate its growth and reproductive success.

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Albizia gummifera is characterized by its existence as a perennial species, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated branches, a structural strategy that defines its life form. Throughout its developmental stages, it exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage in response to seasonal environmental cues.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Albizia gummifera is characterized by a robust, woody growth form, specifically classified as a tree. As a terrestrial species, it functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting in its structural development rather than being a liana or vine. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant vertical variability, with heights ranging from a minimum of 4.5 m to a maximum of approximately 33.53 m, maintaining an average plant height of 24.25 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

33.52840771 m

Plant height mean:

24.25 m

Plant height min:

4.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Albizia gummifera is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. As a member of the Fabaceae family, this species exhibits a highly specialized symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, functioning as a nitrogen fixer. Through the formation of root nodules, the plant facilitates the biological nitrogen fixation process, converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia to support its metabolic requirements and enhance nutrient availability in often nitrogen-limited soil environments.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Albizia gummifera is characterized by a highly flexible phenology, with both flowering and fruiting periods being variable across the months of the year, ranging from January through December. The pollination process is strictly biotic, primarily driven by an insect syndrome with a specific emphasis on bees, which facilitates the fertilization of the flowers. Once fertilized, the plant produces dry fruits that eventually lead to seed dispersal via an autochorous syndrome, where the plant utilizes internal mechanisms to eject or release its seeds. The resulting seeds exhibit specific physical dimensions, maintaining a consistent seed volume of 73 mm³ (with both minimum and maximum values recorded at this figure) and a mean seed mass of approximately 0.069594 g, though individual seed mass can range from a minimum of 0.0467 g to a maximum of 0.11538 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

variable

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruiting time :

variable

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.11538 g

Seed mass mean:

0.069594 g

Seed mass min:

0.0467 g

Seed volume max:

73 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Albizia gummifera has 4 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem, leaf, root, seed.

Stem

1. Journal of natural products
2. Phytochemistry
3. Fitoterapia

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Seed

1. Ethiopian medical journal

Chemicals

Albizia gummifera has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 9-normethylbudmunchiamine K, Julibroside J8, LUPENONE, Lupeol, Triterpenes.

9-normethylbudmunchiamine K

1. Journal of natural products

Julibroside J8

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

LUPENONE

1. Fitoterapia

Lupeol

1. Fitoterapia

Triterpenes

1. Fitoterapia

budmunchiamine G

1. Journal of natural products

budmunchiamine K

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Albizia gummifera has 2 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Cytotoxic.

Antimalarial

1. African journal of health sciences

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Albizia gummifera has 9 reported investigations on conditions identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include malaria, Candida albicans, Streptococcus pneumoniae, cancer, hepatitis.

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. African journal of health sciences

Candida albicans

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Streptococcus pneumoniae

1. Ethiopian medical journal

Cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hepatitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Infectious diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ovarian cancer

1. Journal of natural products

Parasites

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Tuberculosis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Albizia gummifera has 14 reported preparations identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include stem bark, 80% methanol crude extracts prepared from the seeds, CH2Cl2 extract of the stem bark, Eighty percent ethanol solubilized fractions, EtOH extract.

Stem bark

1. Phytochemistry
2. Fitoterapia

80% methanol crude extracts prepared from the seeds

1. Ethiopian medical journal

Ch2cl2 extract of the stem bark

1. Journal of natural products

Eighty percent ethanol solubilized fractions

1. Ethiopian medical journal

Etoh extract

1. Journal of natural products

Sb

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Acetone extracts

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Aqueous solubilized fractions

1. Ethiopian medical journal

Crude extracts

1. African journal of health sciences

Extracts

1. African journal of health sciences