Albizia zygia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Acacia zygia
• Albizia brownei
• Feuilleea zygia
• Albizia letestui
• Albizia welwitschioides
• Inga zygia

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. It is specifically identified by its genus, Albizia, and its species name, Albizia zygia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing in the country of Benin, where it is part of the local flora. Its presence also extends to Burkina Faso, contributing to the region's botanical diversity. Additionally, the species is distributed across Gambia and Ghana. Finally, its documented range includes the coastal nation of Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Albizia zygia is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the species maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated woody stems, a structural adaptation that allows it to thrive in its specific ecological niche. Its physiological cycle includes a deciduous phase, during which it sheds its foliage, a process often synchronized with seasonal changes to manage water loss or light availability. This combination of a perennial lifecycle, phanerophyte life form, and deciduous habit defines its seasonal rhythms and long-term survival strategy.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Albizia zygia is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that is entirely self-supporting rather than acting as a climber or liana. This terrestrial species grows independently, functioning as a non-parasitic organism without any epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant height, typically reaching a mean height of approximately 25 m, with documented measurements ranging from a minimum of 9 m to a maximum of approximately 24.38 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

24.38429651 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Plant height min:

9 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Albizia zygia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and metabolic efficiency in varying environmental conditions. As a member of the Fabaceae family, this species functions as a nitrogen fixer, maintaining a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria in its root nodules to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form, thereby enhancing soil fertility and its own nutritional uptake.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Albizia zygia is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms to facilitate the transfer of pollen between flowers. This reproductive process is characterized by a multifaceted interaction with various biological vectors, primarily functioning through generalist insect pollination. Specifically, the plant exhibits a strong affinity for bee pollination, utilizing these pollinators to ensure successful fertilization and genetic diversity. While the broader category of insect pollination is central to its life cycle, the specialized involvement of bees highlights the specific ecological mechanisms used to achieve successful seed production.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Albizia zygia has 3 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, stem.

Leaf

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
2. Pharmaceutical biology
3. Planta medica

Root

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Albizia zygia has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3',4',7-Trihydroxyflavone, 3-O-Methylfisetin, 4',7-Dihydroxyflavanone.

3',4',7-Trihydroxyflavone

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

3-O-Methylfisetin

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

4',7-Dihydroxyflavanone

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

Activities

Albizia zygia has 4 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antiplasmodial, Antiprotozoal, Antipyretic.

Analgesic

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Antiplasmodial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiprotozoal

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antipyretic

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Medicinal Uses

Albizia zygia has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, depression, fever, malignant melanoma.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations