Chamaecrista nigricans

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several distinct regions. Within Macaronesia, its presence is specifically noted in Cape Verde. Moving to West Tropical Africa, it can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Benin and Burkina. The species also extends its range through the nation of Gambia. Finally, its documented territory includes the country of Ghana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Chamaecrista nigricans is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire biological progression from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it follows a specialized survival strategy where the plant dies down completely at the end of its seasonal cycle, leaving behind only seeds to endure unfavorable conditions. This life form relies on these dormant seeds to persist through periods of environmental stress, ensuring the continuation of the species through the next favorable growing period.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Chamaecrista nigricans is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, functioning as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber, liana, or vine. It is an independent organism that does not exhibit parasitic behavior and grows as a terrestrial species, rather than an epiphyte or an aquatic/semiaquatic plant. In terms of stature, it maintains a relatively modest height, with a minimum recorded measurement of 0 m and a maximum height reaching approximately 1.524 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.524018532 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Chamaecrista nigricans is characterized by its reliance on the C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide during daylight hours. Furthermore, this species functions as a nitrogen fixer, establishing a symbiotic relationship with rhizobial bacteria within its root nodules to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, thereby enhancing its nutrient uptake and survival in nitrogen-limited soils.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Chamaecrista nigricans is characterized by the production of seeds with highly specific mass profiles, ensuring the dispersal and establishment of new progeny. Quantitative analysis of its seed characteristics reveals a consistent and narrow range of weight, with a measured seed mass mean of 0.003605 g. This central value is bounded by a maximum seed mass of 0.00374 g and a minimum seed mass of 0.00347 g, indicating a high degree of uniformity in the reproductive output of the species. These precise seed dimensions are critical factors in the plant's life cycle, influencing buoyancy, dispersal mechanisms, and the initial energy reserves available for germination.

Seed mass max:

0.00374 g

Seed mass mean:

0.003605 g

Seed mass min:

0.00347 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Chamaecrista nigricans has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Fitoterapia
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Chamaecrista nigricans has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include malaria.

Malaria

1. Tropical medicine and health

Preparations

Chamaecrista nigricans has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves.

Leaves

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology