Crotalaria lachnophora

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Crotalaria lachnocarpa var. melanocalyx
• Crotalaria lachnocarpa var. strictissima
• Crotalaria elata
• Crotalaria homblei

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Crotalaria, specifically as the species Crotalaria lachnophora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing across several distinct countries in this part of the continent. Specifically, its presence is documented in Benin and Burkina Faso. The species also extends its range into Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Finally, its distribution includes the territory of Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Crotalaria lachnophora is characterized by a versatile biological strategy, exhibiting a lifecycle that can be classified as annual, biennial, or perennial, making it a variable species in its temporal existence. In terms of its structural growth habit and ecological positioning, the plant is categorized as a chamaephyte, a life form where the permanent buds are located close to the soil surface. This classification is consistent across its life form descriptions, identifying it specifically as a chamaephyte within the broader spectrum of plant growth strategies.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Crotalaria lachnophora is characterized by a growth form that ranges from a shrub to a subshrub, exhibiting a woody nature. As a terrestrial plant, it functions as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber. In terms of stature, the plant displays significant variability in height, with recorded measurements ranging from a minimum of approximately 0.91 m to a maximum of 1.83 m, while the mean height is documented at 2.5 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Plant height max:

1.828822238 m

Plant height mean:

2.5 m

Plant height min:

0.914411119 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Crotalaria lachnophora is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency under varying environmental conditions. Unlike plants utilizing C4 or CAM pathways, its carbon assimilation relies on the direct fixation of CO2 by the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells. Furthermore, regarding its nutritional physiology and symbiotic relationships, this species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it does not possess the specialized root nodules required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms through biological nitrogen fixation.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Crotalaria lachnophora is characterized by the development of fruit in the form of a pod. These fruits are dehiscence-based, meaning they are dehiscent and split open at maturity to facilitate the release of seeds. The plant utilizes an autochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on autonomous mechanisms to distribute its seeds. Regarding the physical properties of the seeds, they exhibit a highly uniform mass, with a recorded mean, maximum, and minimum seed mass of 0.01147 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Fruit type :

pod

Seed mass mean:

0.01147 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Crotalaria lachnophora has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Lachnoisoflavones B.

Lachnoisoflavones B

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Crotalaria lachnophora has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial.

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Crotalaria lachnophora has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, fungi.

Escherichia coli

1. Journal of natural products

Klebsiella pneumoniae

1. Journal of natural products

Fungi

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Crotalaria lachnophora has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include CH(2)Cl(2)/MeOH (1:1) extract.

Ch(2)cl(2)/meoh (1:1) extract

1. Journal of natural products