Dalbergia nitidula

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in Burundi and the Central African Republic. It also occupies parts of the West-Central Tropical Africa region within Rwanda and the DR Congo. Furthermore, its range extends into East Tropical Africa, where it is present in Tanzania. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's presence across diverse tropical environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dalbergia nitidula is characterized by its preference for forest environments, where it plays a role in the structural composition of the ecosystem. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, thriving across a diverse range of topographic gradients. It can be found at elevations starting as low as 50 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 1900 m AMSL, allowing it to occupy various ecological niches within different forest strata and climatic zones.

Elevational range max:

1900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

50 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Dalbergia nitida is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the individual to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, specifically classified under both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte categories, its reproductive shoots are elevated well above the ground on woody stems. The plant exhibits a deciduous habit, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal physiological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Dalbergia nitida is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which functions as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or liana. This terrestrial species is independent in its growth, meaning it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variation in height, with measurements ranging from a minimum of 0.5 meters to a maximum of 6 meters, though it reaches a mean height of approximately 10 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Dalbergia nitida is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutritional strategies that support its growth in various ecological niches. The plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common mechanism in many woody dicotyledons, where carbon fixation occurs through the Calvin cycle involving the enzyme RuBisCO. Furthermore, Dalbergia nitida functions as a nitrogen fixer, possessing a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria located within its root nodules. This biological nitrogen fixation allows the plant to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, providing a crucial nutrient source that enhances its ability to thrive in nitrogen-limited soils.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Dalbergia nitiidula is driven by a combination of biotic pollination mechanisms and specialized dispersal strategies. The pollination process follows a biotic syndrome, primarily relying on insects for the transfer of pollen. Within this insect-mediated framework, bees serve as a key pollination agent, facilitating the reproductive cycle through targeted visits to the flowers. Once fertilization is successful, the plant utilizes an autochorous dispersal syndrome to distribute its seeds. This process of autochochorous dispersal implies that the plant employs internal mechanisms to eject or release its seeds, ensuring that offspring are spread away from the parent plant without relying on external environmental vectors like wind or water.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Dalbergia nitidula 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Chemicals

Dalbergia nitidula has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include genistein 8-C-glycoside.

genistein 8-C-glycoside

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Dalbergia nitidula has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include epilepsy, seizure.

Epilepsy

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Seizure

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Dalbergia nitidula has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include acetone leaf extracts, decoctions.

Acetone leaf extracts

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Decoctions

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology