angelin

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• angelin
• angelin-tree
• cabbagebark
• cabbagetree
• Angeleen tree
• Brown Heart
• cabbagebark tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Vouacapoua inermis
• Geoffroea inermis

Regional and Traditional Names

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 the genus Andira and the species Andira inermis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Andira inermis, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing within the borders of Benin and Burkina. Furthermore, the species is present in the coastal and inland areas of Gambia. Its range also extends through the territory of Ghana. Finally, the plant is documented as being native to Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Andira inermis is characterized by its broad adaptability across diverse altitudinal gradients, spanning an elevational range from 0 to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL. This species typically finds its primary niche within forest habitats, where it integrates into the complex structural layers of the ecosystem. Its ability to thrive from sea level up to high-altitude montane environments allows it to occupy various ecological zones, playing a significant role in the composition of forest communities across these varying elevations.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Andira inermis is characterized by its status as a perennial species, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs well above the ground, a growth form that is further categorized by its classification as a phanerophyte under both life form assessments. This plant exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally, allowing for continuous metabolic activity. This combination of a perennial lifecycle, phanerophyte life form, and evergreen nature defines its enduring and stable developmental strategy.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Andira inermis is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree. It is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism, rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant exhibits significant vertical development, with height measurements ranging from a minimum of approximately 6.10 meters to a maximum of 35 meters, maintaining an average height of roughly 19.87 meters. In terms of structural support, it is classified as a self-supporting plant, possessing the necessary woodiness to maintain its stature without the need for climbing or liana-like behavior.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

35 m

Plant height mean:

19.87336422 m

Plant height min:

6.096074128 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Andira inermis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits specific leaf morphological traits, maintaining a consistent Leaf Dry Matter Content (LDMC) of 405.8 mg/g across its observed range (min, mean, and max), suggesting a stable investment in leaf structural density. This density is further reflected in its Specific Leaf Area (SLA), which remains constant at 109.9 cm²/g (min, mean, and max), indicating a uniform leaf thickness and resource allocation strategy. Additionally, the species possesses the physiological capacity to function as a nitrogen fixer, enabling it to enhance soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

405.8 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

109.9 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Andira inermis is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily mediated by insects. The plant exhibits a lack of self-fertilization, suggesting a reliance on cross-pollination to maintain genetic diversity. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces seeds that vary in length, ranging from a minimum of 15 mm to a maximum of 30 mm, with an average seed mass of approximately 2.387 g. The dispersal of these seeds follows a zoochorous syndrome, meaning they are distributed via animals, which plays a critical role in the expansion of the species' range.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

30 mm

Seed length min:

15 mm

Seed mass mean:

2.387 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Andira inermis 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Andira inermis has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Andinermal B, Andinermal C, FAT, GEOFFROYINE, Inermin.

Andinermal B

1. Phytochemistry

Andinermal C

1. Phytochemistry

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

GEOFFROYINE

1. Dr. Duke

Inermin

1. Dr. Duke

Lanceolarin

1. Fitoterapia

N-methyl tyrosine

1. Dr. Duke

STARCH

1. Dr. Duke

andirine

1. Dr. Duke

berberine

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Andira inermis has 131 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiplasmodial, (+)-Inotropic, Abortifacient, Absorbent, Adrenolytic.

Antiplasmodial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytochemistry

(+)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Absorbent

1. Dr. Duke

Adrenolytic

1. Dr. Duke

Amebicide

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Anesthetic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiacetylcholinesterase

1. Dr. Duke

Antiacne

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Andira inermis has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Pneumococcus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, malaria, pneumococcal infections.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations