Cajanus scarabaeoides

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rhynchosia scarabaeoides
• Stizolobium scarabaeoides
• Atylosia scarabaeoides
• Dolichos scarabaeoides
• Cantharospermum scarabaeoides

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further categorized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Cajaunus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Cajanus scarabaeoides, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the West Tropical Africa region. It is documented to grow within the borders of Benin, spanning various local ecosystems. The species can also be found in the West African nation of Gambia. Furthermore, its presence extends to the territories of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant includes the Ivory Coast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cajaunus scarabaeoides is strictly defined by its specialized altitudinal niche within montane ecosystems, where it thrives within a specific elevational range. This species is typically found inhabiting mid-to-high altitude environments, maintaining a precise distribution between a minimum elevation of 1400 m AMSL and a maximum elevation of 1800 m AMSL. This restricted vertical range suggests a high degree of adaptation to the specific microclimates, temperature gradients, and atmospheric pressures characteristic of these subtropical or temperate highland zones. By occupying this narrow altitudinal belt, the plant's survival is closely tied to the unique moisture regimes and soil compositions found within these specific montane strata.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1400 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cajanus scarabaeoides is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. It is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form that typically maintains its buds close to the soil surface, which can offer protection against environmental stressors. Furthermore, this species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal growth pattern.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cajaunus scarabaeoides is characterized by a growth form that functions as a shrub, though it is also classified within the herb category. It is a non-woody plant that exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit, lacking the necessity for obligatory or facultative climbing structures. In terms of its ecological niche, the species is terrestrial rather than aquatic or epiphytic, and it grows as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. The plant is relatively diminutive in stature, with a recorded plant height ranging from a minimum of 0 m to a maximum of 0.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Casearia scarabaeoide (often referred to in botanical contexts related to Casearia) is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Its leaf morphology is defined by an oval shape with entire margins, lacking any specialized defensive structures such as leaf thorns or spines. From a structural perspective, the plant exhibits specific leaf area (SLA) values that indicate its leaf mass per area dynamics, with a recorded minimum SLA of 205.8988356 cm²/g, a mean SLA of 238.54740625 cm²/g, and a maximum SLA of 271.1959769 cm²/g. These variations in SLA reflect the plant's physiological adaptation to optimize light interception and gas exchange within its environment.

Leaf form :

oval

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) max:

271.1959769 cm²/g

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

238.54740625 cm²/g

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

205.8988356 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Caseanus scarabaeoides is characterized by the development of fruit that exhibits a dry consistency rather than being fleshy. The seeds produced within these fruits are highly uniform in size, maintaining a consistent seed volume of 16 mm³, with both the maximum and minimum recorded volumes being exactly 16 mm³. There is slight variation in the seed mass, which ranges from a minimum of 0.01111 g to a maximum of 0.02153 g, resulting in an average seed mass of 0.01632 g.

Fruit dryness :

dry

Seed mass max:

0.02153 g

Seed mass mean:

0.01632 g

Seed mass min:

0.01111 g

Seed volume max:

16 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cajanus scarabaeoides 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 seed.

Seed

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

Chemicals

Cajanus scarabaeoides has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, VITAMIN E, Vitamin A, genistein, hydroxygenistein.

Flavonoids

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

VITAMIN E

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

Vitamin A

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

genistein

1. Dr. Duke

hydroxygenistein

1. Dr. Duke

polyphenols

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

vitamin C

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

Activities

Cajanus scarabaeoides has 72 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Abortifacient, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Antiaggregant.

Antioxidant

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

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Antiaggregant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiangiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiatherosclerotic

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer (Breast)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic (Breast)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticlimacteric

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Cajanus scarabaeoides has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antioxidant.

Antioxidant

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

Preparations

Cajanus scarabaeoides has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include chloroform extract, ethyl acetate extracts.

Chloroform extract

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

Ethyl acetate extracts

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