Canavalia rosea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant, Canavalia rosea, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented within the borders of Benin, where it grows in suitable local environments. The species is also found stretching across the territory of Burkina. Furthermore, its natural range extends to include the coastal and inland areas of Gambia. Finally, the distribution of this medicinal plant reaches as far as Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Canavalia rosea is defined by its specialized adaptation to coastal environments, primarily occurring within beach habitats. This plant thrives in the low-lying sandy areas of shorelines, demonstrating a distinct elevational distribution that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum altitude of 1000 m AMSL. Its presence in these maritime zones indicates an ability to tolerate the specific environmental stressors characteristic of beach ecosystems, such as high salinity, sandy substrates, and intense solar exposure.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

beaches

Life history

The life history of Canavalia rosea is characterized by its perennial nature, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. In terms of its structural growth habit and ecological positioning, the plant is classified as a chamaephyte, meaning its perennable buds are located close to the soil surface, typically just above the ground level. This specific life form, shared across both its botanical classifications as a chamaephyte, enables the species to endure varying environmental conditions by maintaining its regenerative capacity near the substrate.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Canavalia rosea is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, functioning as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. This plant exhibits a climbing habit specifically as an obligatory vine, utilizing a scandent shoot orientation to navigate its environment. As a terrestrial species, it does not function as an epiphyte, instead establishing itself firmly in the ground. The plant's stature is highly variable, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 20 m, maintaining a mean plant height of approximately 5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

5 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Shoot orientation :

scandent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Canavalia rosea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits specific morphological adaptations in its foliage, with leaf dimensions ranging from a minimum length of 4.5 cm to a maximum of 12 cm, and a width that varies between 3 cm and 11.5 cm. Unlike certain desert-adapted species, this plant does not exhibit succulence, maintaining standard leaf tissue density rather than water-storing specialized structures. Furthermore, it functions as a nitrogen fixer, a critical physiological trait that allows it to engage in symbiotic nitrogen fixation, thereby enhancing its ability to thrive in nutrient-poor environments by converting atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form.

Leaf length max:

12 cm

Leaf length min:

4.5 cm

Leaf width max:

11.5 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Canavalia rosea is characterized by a specialized flowering and fruiting process that begins with its pink-colored flowers, which are arranged in inflorescences ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.2 m in length. The plant produces fruit in the form of a pod, which typically measures between 11 cm and 15 cm in length and maintains a width between 2 cm and 2.7 cm. These pods are dehiscent, meaning they split open at maturity to release the seeds. The seeds themselves vary in size, with a length ranging from 15 mm to 16 mm and a maximum width of 10 mm. In terms of mass, the seeds exhibit significant variability, with a minimum mass of approximately 0.35068 g, a mean mass of 0.60971 g, and a maximum mass of 0.86874 g. The dispersal of these seeds follows a hydrochorous syndrome, utilizing water as the primary medium for movement and propagation.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flower colour :

pink

Fruit length max:

15 cm

Fruit length min:

11 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

2.7 cm

Fruit width min:

2 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.2 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.1 m

Seed length max:

16 mm

Seed length min:

15 mm

Seed mass max:

0.86874 g

Seed mass mean:

0.60971 g

Seed mass min:

0.35068 g

Seed width max:

10 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Canavalia rosea 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. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Canavalia rosea has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include genistein, hydroxygenistein.

genistein

1. Dr. Duke

hydroxygenistein

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Canavalia rosea has 72 reported activities identified across 1 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

Conditions

Canavalia rosea has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include wounds.

Wounds

1. BMC research notes

Preparations

Canavalia rosea has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous and aqueous ethanolic extracts.

Aqueous and aqueous ethanolic extracts

1. BMC research notes