Tree Wisteria

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• tree wisteria
• Elephant Wood
• Elephant's Wood
• Rhodesian Wisteria
• Rhodesian-Wisteria
• South African Wisteria
• Tree-wisteria
• Wild Wisteria
• Wild-Wisteria
• Wisteriatree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Bolusanthus speciosus f. albescens
• Lonchocarpus speciosus

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. It is classified within the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Bolusanthus, with the species name speciosus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide distribution across several regions of the African continent. In East Tropical Africa, its presence is recorded in both Kenya and Uganda. Moving toward the southern part of the continent, it is also found within South Tropical Africa. Specifically, this species inhabits the countries of Malawi and Mozambique. Additionally, the plant's range extends into the territory of Zambia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bolusanthus speciosus is characterized by its ability to inhabit a broad altitudinal gradient, allowing it to colonize diverse montane and lowland environments. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to varying topographical conditions, occupying an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 15 m AMSL to a maximum of 1400 m AMSL. This wide vertical distribution suggests that the plant can thrive in various microclimates, ranging from humid, low-lying tropical zones to cooler, high-altitude habitats, facilitating its presence across diverse ecological niches within its native landscape.

Elevational range max:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

15 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Bolusanthus speciosus is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. This long-term survival strategy is complemented by its deciduous habit, meaning the plant undergoes a seasonal process of shedding its foliage. This cycle of leaf loss and regrowth is typically a response to environmental fluctuations, such as changes in temperature or water availability, which helps the plant conserve resources during less favorable periods before entering a new period of vegetative growth.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bolusanthus speciosus is characterized by a robust, woody growth form, specifically categorized as a tree. This plant exhibits a significant vertical stature, with its height ranging from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 12 meters, maintaining an average height of approximately 8 meters. It is a terrestrial species, functioning as an independent organism rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its structural support, the plant is self-supporting, meaning it does not rely on climbing mechanisms such as lianas or vines to maintain its upright position.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Plant height mean:

8 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bolusanthus speciosus is characterized by its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic process where carbon dioxide is fixed directly into a three-carbon compound during the first stage of the Calvin cycle. This pathway dictates the plant's carbon assimilation efficiency and its specific requirements for water and light availability in its natural habitat. Furthermore, the plant functions as a nitrogen fixer, possessing the physiological capability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form, which facilitates nutrient uptake and supports growth in nitrogen-limited environments through symbiotic associations.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Bolusanthus speciosus is primarily characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit specific morphological weight parameters essential for its life cycle. The seed mass of this species shows a highly consistent distribution, with a calculated mean seed mass of 0.04057 g. The variability within the population is relatively narrow, ranging from a minimum seed mass of 0.0392 g to a maximum seed mass of 0.0422 g. These precise measurements indicate a standardized reproductive strategy where seed size is tightly controlled, likely influencing the dispersal mechanisms and initial seedling vigor of the plant.

Seed mass max:

0.0422 g

Seed mass mean:

0.04057 g

Seed mass min:

0.0392 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Bolusanthus speciosus has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, stem.

Root

1. Phytochemistry

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Bolusanthus speciosus has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 7,3'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone, 7-Hydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone, Derrone, Gancaonin C, Lupiwighteone.

7,3'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone

1. Phytochemistry

7-Hydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone

1. Phytochemistry

Derrone

1. Phytochemistry

Gancaonin C

1. Phytochemistry

Lupiwighteone

1. Phytochemistry

Wighteone

1. Phytochemistry

genistein

1. Phytochemistry

Activities

Bolusanthus speciosus has 4 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antifungal

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimicrobial

1. Phytochemistry

Antioxidant

1. Phytochemistry

Conditions

Bolusanthus speciosus has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Inflammation, Staphylococcus aureus.

Candida albicans

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Escherichia coli

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Inflammation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Bolusanthus speciosus has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts, root wood.

Extracts

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Root wood

1. Phytochemistry