red gram

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Congo-pea
• pigeon-pea
• red gram
• yellow dhal
• pigeonpea

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cajanus pseudocajan
• Cajanus cajan var. flavus
• Cajanus indicus var. flavus
• Cytisus pseudocajan
• Cajanus striatus
• Cytisus cajan
• Cytisus guineensis
• Cajanus bicolor
• Cajanus cajan f. bicolor
• Cajanus cajan var. bicolor
• Cajanum thora
• Cajanus indicus var. bicolor
• Cajanus indicus var. maculatus
• Cajanus luteus
• Cajanus obcordifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Cajanus cajaen, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling under the order Fabales. Finally, it is a member of the family Fabaceae and the genus Cajanus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Cajanus cajan, exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In Northern Africa, it is notably found within the borders of Egypt. Its presence extends to the Macaronesia region, specifically occurring in Cape Verde. Furthermore, the species is widespread throughout West Tropical Africa. Within this tropical zone, it is documented in Benin, Burkina, and Gambia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cajaunus cajaen is characterized by its broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 2000 m AMSL. This species demonstrates a notable adaptability to human-altered environments, frequently occurring within anthropogenic habitats (Área Antrópica), which suggests a capacity to thrive in landscapes modified by human activity.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Genetics

The genetics of Cajaunus cajaun are characterized by a complex chromosomal architecture and specific variations in genomic composition. The plant exhibits a versatile chromosome number, documented at levels of 22, 44, and 66, which suggests a capacity for polyploid series or varying levels of chromosomal multiplication within its lineage. Despite these potential variations in total count, the fundamental ploidy level is identified as 2, indicating a diploid baseline for its genetic structure.

Chromosome number :

22, 44, 66

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Cajanus cajan is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the plant is categorized as a phanerophyte, specifically functioning as a phanerophyte, which indicates that its perennating buds are located high above the ground on aerial stems. This life form enables the plant to survive unfavorable conditions by protecting its vital regenerative tissues through its elevated architecture.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cajanus caján is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, exhibiting a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a vine or liana. This terrestrial plant reaches a height that varies significantly depending on environmental conditions, with a minimum height of 0.5 m, a mean height of 3.5 m, and a maximum height of up to 4 m. As an independent species, it does not function as a parasite and remains strictly terrestrial, lacking any epiphytic tendencies such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte. The plant's robust, woody nature supports its stature, allowing it to maintain its shrub-like habit within its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Plant height mean:

3.5 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cajanus cajan is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant's vegetative structure features leaves with significant morphological variability, exhibiting a length that ranges from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 13 cm, while the width of the leaves fluctuates between 1 cm and 6 cm. Furthermore, the plant demonstrates a specialized physiological capacity for nutrient acquisition through nitrogen fixation, which allows it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form, enhancing its growth and soil enrichment capabilities.

Leaf length max:

13 cm

Leaf length min:

2.5 cm

Leaf width max:

6 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cajanus cajan is driven by biotic pollination processes, primarily involving insects and specifically bees, which facilitate the transfer of pollen. The plant is capable of self-fertilization, ensuring reproductive success through internal fertilization mechanisms. The flowering stage is characterized by distinct orange-colored flowers that attract these pollinators. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops fruit in the form of a pod, which is a dehiscence type, meaning it opens at maturity to release its contents. These pods vary in size, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 8 cm, and widths ranging from 0.4 cm to 1 cm. Within each pod, the seed count typically ranges from 1 to 10 seeds. The seeds themselves exhibit specific morphological dimensions, with lengths between 4 mm and 9 mm and widths between 3 mm and 8 mm. In terms of mass, the seeds are relatively lightweight, with a mean mass of approximately 0.0776 g, a minimum of 0.071 g, and a maximum of 0.145 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Flower colour :

orange

Fruit length max:

8 cm

Fruit length min:

2 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

1 cm

Fruit width min:

0.4 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

9 mm

Seed length min:

4 mm

Seed mass max:

0.145 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0775842855 g

Seed mass min:

0.071 g

Seed width max:

8 mm

Seed width min:

3 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

1-10

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cajanus cajan has 3 reported plant parts identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed, stem.

Leaf

1. Fitoterapia
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Neurochemistry international
4. Molecular pharmaceutics
5. Revista medica de Panama

Seed

1. Molecular pharmaceutics

Stem

1. Revista medica de Panama

Chemicals

Cajanus cajan has 116 reported phytochemicals identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, cajaninstilbene acid, Ash, IRON, POTASSIUM.

Flavonoids

1. Mutation research. Genetic toxicology and environmental mutagenesis
2. Molecular pharmaceutics
3. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
4. Metabolites
5. Journal of food and drug analysis

cajaninstilbene acid

1. Applied microbiology and biotechnology
2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Frontiers in pharmacology

Ash

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
3. Die Nahrung

IRON

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
3. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

POTASSIUM

1. Dr. Duke
2. Die Nahrung
3. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

methionine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Archivos latinoamericanos de nutricion
3. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

proline

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Metabolites

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

CATALASE

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Metabolites

Activities

Cajanus cajan has 415 reported activities identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antinociceptive, Immunomodulator, Neuroprotective.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of biochemistry and molecular biology
3. Pharmaceutical biology
4. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of toxicology
3. Metabolites

Antinociceptive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutical biology

Immunomodulator

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Neuroprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Adjuvant

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Cajanus cajan has 31 reported investigations on conditions identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include sickle cell disease, Alzheimer's disease, Cognitive Impairment, DNA damage, Malnutrition.

Sickle cell disease

1. Molecular pharmaceutics
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Alzheimer's disease

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Cognitive impairment

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Dna damage

1. Mutation research. Genetic toxicology and environmental mutagenesis

Malnutrition

1. Heliyon

Anthelmintics

1. Preventive veterinary medicine

Antihyperglycemic

1. Natural product research

Antihypertensive

1. Natural product research

Antioxidant

1. Natural product research

Antioxidant activity

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Cajanus cajan has 20 reported preparations identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves, CI-1, Cajanus cajan leaf extract, FFCC, MECC.

Leaves

1. Fitoterapia
2. Preventive veterinary medicine
3. Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology

Ci-1

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cajanus cajan leaf extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ffcc

1. Mutation research. Genetic toxicology and environmental mutagenesis

Mecc

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methanol extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Plant extracts

1. BMC veterinary research

Aqueous and ethanolic extracts

1. Journal of toxicology

Aqueous fraction of the leaves and stems

1. Revista medica de Panama

Crude extracts

1. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)