Canavalia cathartica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in the countries of Mali and Togo. Its presence extends into Northeast Tropical Africa, specifically within the nation of Somalia. Moving toward the eastern coast, the species is also located in East Tropical Africa. Finally, its geographical range includes the country of Tanzania within the East Tropical Africa region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Canavalia cathartica is characterized by its specific adaptation to coastal bushland environments. This plant occupies a diverse altitudinal gradient, thriving in diverse terrains ranging from low-lying areas at an elevation of 105 m AMSL to higher elevations reaching a maximum of 1065 m AMSL. Its presence in coastal bushlands suggests an ecological niche suited to the unique soil compositions and moisture levels found in near-shore vegetation zones, allowing it to persist across a broad vertical range within these coastal ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1065 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

105 m AMSL

Habitat :

coastal bushland

Life history

The life history of Canavalia cathartica is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, though its growth patterns can exhibit variability depending on environmental conditions and local climates. As a perennial, the plant maintains its existence over multiple growing seasons, often establishing a robust presence through a spreading habit. Its lifecycle allows it to endure through various seasonal shifts, contributing to its ability to colonize and persist in its natural habitats. While it possesses the longevity inherent to perennials, its developmental stages and vigor can fluctuate, making its life trajectory somewhat variable in response to resource availability and ecological stressors.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Canavalia cathartica is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, functioning as an obligatory climbing vine. This plant exhibits a liana-like habit, reaching a minimum height of 3 m, with a mean height of approximately 4 m, and can extend to a maximum height of 15 m. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently without parasitic or epiphytic dependencies, maintaining a non-woody structure throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

4 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Canavalia cathartica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production. The plant exhibits non-succulent foliage, indicating a standard water management strategy without specialized water-storage tissues. The morphology of its leaves is defined by specific dimensions, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 8 cm to a maximum of 12 cm. Furthermore, the leaf width varies between a minimum of 6 cm and a maximum of 10 cm, providing a structural framework that supports its metabolic functions and gas exchange requirements.

Leaf length max:

12 cm

Leaf length min:

8 cm

Leaf width max:

10 cm

Leaf width min:

6 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Canavalia cathartica is characterized by the development of a distinct fruit type classified as a pod. These pods exhibit significant morphological variation, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 8 cm to a maximum of 13.5 cm, and widths spanning from 3 cm to 4.5 cm. The fruit is dehiscent, meaning it naturally splits open to release its contents at maturity. Within these pods, the seeds are relatively large and robust, possessing a length that varies between 14 mm and 19 mm and a width ranging from 9 mm to 12 mm. Regarding the movement of the species across landscapes, its dispersal syndrome is identified as anthropochorous, indicating that human activity plays a role in the distribution of its seeds.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Fruit length max:

13.5 cm

Fruit length min:

8 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

4.5 cm

Fruit width min:

3 cm

Seed length max:

19 mm

Seed length min:

14 mm

Seed width max:

12 mm

Seed width min:

9 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Canavalia cathartica has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include genistein, hydroxygenistein.

genistein

1. Dr. Duke

hydroxygenistein

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Canavalia cathartica has 72 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Abortifacient, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Antiaggregant, Antiangiogenic.

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

Antiendoccytotic

1. Dr. Duke