Centrosema pubescens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant, known as Centrosema pubescens, is found across several specific regions within West Tropical Africa. Its geographical range includes the nation of Benin, where it grows in local ecosystems. It is also documented to inhabit parts of Burkina Faso. Furthermore, the species can be located within the borders of Ghana. Finally, its distribution extends to the West Tropical African countries of Guinea-Bissau and Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Centrosema pubescens is characterized by a broad adaptability to diverse environmental conditions across a wide altitudinal gradient. This species can be found at elevations ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 2100 m AMSL, demonstrating significant resilience to varying topographical pressures. Its habitat preferences are notably diverse, allowing it to inhabit a multitude of Brazilian ecosystems, including Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (latu sensu), Restinga, and various forest types such as Floresta Ciliar or Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual, and Floresta Ombrófila (Pluvial). This wide distribution across both open scrublands and dense forest environments highlights its ability to thrive in varied moisture levels and soil compositions.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Life history

The life history of Centrosema pubescens is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment across multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy and ecological positioning, the plant is classified as a chamaephyte, meaning its regenerative buds are located close to or just above the soil surface. This specific life form, identified through both its chamaephyte classification and its growth habit, enables the plant to maintain resilience and adapt to its habitat through its long-lived perennial lifecycle.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Centrosema pubescens is characterized by a growth form classified as a non-woody herb, specifically functioning as a forb. It exhibits a climbing habit, acting as an obligatory vine that utilizes surrounding structures for support rather than being self-supporting. In terms of its ecological niche and habit, the plant is terrestrial rather than aquatic or epiphytic, maintaining an independent existence as a non-parasitic organism. Its physical structure is defined by this soft, non-woody composition, which facilitates its rapid climbing movement through various terrestrial environments.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Centrosema pubescens is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation mechanisms and metabolic efficiency under varying environmental conditions. As a member of the Fabaceae family, this plant functions as a nitrogen fixer, utilizing symbiotic relationships with rhizobia bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, thereby enhancing its nutritional uptake and soil enrichment capabilities.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Centrosema pubescens is centered around the production of seeds that exhibit specific morphological weight characteristics essential for its dispersal and establishment. The seed mass within a population shows measurable variability, with a calculated mean mass of 0.02902 g. This distribution is bounded by a minimum seed mass of 0.0244 g and a maximum seed mass of 0.03577 g, indicating a relatively tight range of physical dimensions among the reproductive units. These quantitative traits are critical to the plant's reproductive success and its ability to colonize new environments.

Seed mass max:

0.03577 g

Seed mass mean:

0.02902 g

Seed mass min:

0.0244 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Centrosema pubescens 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. Fitoterapia

Preparations

Centrosema pubescens has 3 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include dichloromethane extract, extracts, powdered seeds.

Dichloromethane extract

1. The American journal of Chinese medicine

Extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Powdered seeds

1. Fitoterapia