Tropical Sensitive Pea

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Tropical Sensitive Pea
• tropical sensitive-pea
• Hairy Cassia
• Pig's Senna

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Senna absus
• Cassia acacalis
• Cassia babylonica
• Cassia viscida
• Senna exigua
• Grimaldia opifera
• Chamaecrista absus var. meonandra
• Grimaldia absus
• Cassia thonningii
• Cassia absus
• Cassia absus var. meonandra
• Cassia exigua
• Chamaecrista absus var. absus

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Fabales and is a member of the Fabaceae family. Finally, its taxonomic designation is placed within the genus Chamaecrista.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Chamaecrista absus, exhibits a specific range of occurrence across several distinct regions. Within the Macaronesian islands, its presence is noted in Cape Verde. Its distribution extends significantly into West Tropical Africa, where it can be found in Benin and Burkina. Furthermore, the species is documented in the West Tropical African nations of Gambia and Ghana. Consequently, these locations define the known geographical footprint of this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Chamaecrista absus is characterized by its adaptability to diverse open environments, primarily thriving within grasslands, bushlands, and anthropogenic landscapes such as paddocks. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying a wide vertical range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends to a maximum elevation of 1450 m AMSL. Throughout its natural range, it maintains a mean elevation of approximately 880 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-altitude ecological zones while remaining capable of colonizing both lowland and highland habitats.

Elevational range max:

1450 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

880 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

grassland, bushland, paddocks

Life history

The life history of Chamaecrista absus is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its botanical life form, it is classified as a therophyte, a strategy where the plant survives unfavorable environmental conditions primarily through dormant seeds rather than persistent vegetative structures. This life form is consistent across its biological classification, as it functions as a therophyte, relying on rapid growth and efficient seed dispersal to colonize disturbed habitats before the onset of seasonal stressors.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Chamaecrista absus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a terrestrial, self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit epiphytic or parasitic behaviors, growing instead as an independent organism. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 1.2 m, with an average plant height of approximately 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height mean:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Chamaecrista absus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common mechanism in many legumes where carbon fixation occurs primarily through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. This plant also functions as a nitrogen fixer, establishing a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria in its root nodules to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, which enhances its nutrient uptake and growth in nitrogen-poor soils.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Chamaecrista absus is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The plant produces fruit in the form of a pod, which is characterized by its dehiscence, meaning it splits open at maturity to release its seeds. The seeds themselves vary in size, with a recorded minimum mass of 0.01278 g, a maximum mass of 0.0255 g, and an average seed mass of approximately 0.019403333 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Fruit type :

pod

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.0255 g

Seed mass mean:

0.019403333 g

Seed mass min:

0.01278 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Chamaecrista absus 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. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Chemicals

Chamaecrista absus has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CATECHIN, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Flavonoid, Flavonoids, Gallic acid.

CATECHIN

1. Frontiers in nutrition

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Frontiers in nutrition

Flavonoid

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Flavonoids

1. IET nanobiotechnology

Gallic acid

1. Frontiers in nutrition

Oxalates

1. IET nanobiotechnology

RUTIN

1. Frontiers in nutrition

Vanillic acid

1. Frontiers in nutrition

caffeine

1. Frontiers in nutrition

ferulic acid

1. Frontiers in nutrition

Activities

Chamaecrista absus has 4 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antitumor.

Antidiabetic

1. Frontiers in nutrition

Antimicrobial

1. Frontiers in nutrition

Antioxidant

1. Frontiers in nutrition

Antitumor

1. Frontiers in nutrition

Preparations