Clitoria falcata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution centered within the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented across several key nations, including Benin and Ghana. Furthermore, it can be found growing in the territories of Guinea-Bissau and Guinea. The species also extends its range into the Ivory Coast. Collectively, these locations define the primary habitat for this medicinal plant in West Africa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Clitoria falcata is characterized by its presence in specialized ecosystems, specifically inhabiting the Campo Rupestre and the broader Cerrado (latu sensu) biomes. This species exhibits a wide vertical distribution across various landscapes, occupying an elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 2000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (lato sensu)

Life history

The life history of Clitoria falcata is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy and survival mechanism, it is classified under the life form of a chamaephyte, a designation that reflects its specific stature and ability to withstand environmental fluctuations. This growth habit ensures its long-term presence within its natural habitat through its enduring perennial nature.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Clitoria falcata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. It functions as an obligatory climber, adopting a vine-like habit to ascend through its environment. In terms of its ecological niche and habitat preference, the plant is terrestrial rather than aquatic or epiphytic, maintaining an independent existence as a non-parasitic organism.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Clitoria falcata is fundamentally characterized by its carbon assimilation strategy, utilizing a C3 photosynthetic pathway. As a C3 plant, its photosynthetic process involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO through the Calvin cycle, occurring primarily within the mesophyll cells. This metabolic pathway dictates the plant's water-use efficiency and gas exchange dynamics, as the reliance on RuBisCO makes the plant susceptible to photorespiration under conditions of high temperature or limited water availability. Consequently, its physiological adaptations are geared towards managing transpiration rates and optimizing light interception to support its growth and reproductive development within its specific ecological niche.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Clitoria falcata 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

Clitoria falcata 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