Detarium macrocarpum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae and the genus Detarium. Specifically, it is identified as the species Detarium macrocarpum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several regions within the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is noted in Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria. Its range extends further into the West-Central Tropical Africa region as well. Specifically, it can be found growing in the Central African Republic and Cameroon. These locations highlight the plant's significant footprint within tropical African ecosystems.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Detarium macrocarpum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons and maintains its biological functions over a long lifespan. As a long-lived woody plant, its life cycle involves a sustained period of vegetative growth followed by recurrent reproductive phases. Throughout its existence, the plant undergoes seasonal transitions that govern its phenology, including periods of leaf flushing, flowering, and fruit development. The perennial nature of the species allows it to establish a robust structural presence in its ecosystem, enabling it to withstand environmental fluctuations and contribute consistently to the forest canopy over many years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Detarium macrocarpum is characterized by its significant stature and robust structure, functioning as a large, woody tree. It is a self-supporting, independent plant that grows in terrestrial environments, rather than being an aquatic, epiphyte, or parasite. This species exhibits a substantial growth habit, with an average plant height of approximately 40 m, though it can reach a maximum height of up to 54.86 m. As a self-supporting woody organism, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, but maintains a stable, upright growth form.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

54.86466715 m

Plant height mean:

40 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Detarium macrocarpum is characterized by its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism typical of many tropical woody species where carbon fixation occurs directly through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. This metabolic strategy allows the plant to function effectively under the varying light intensities of forest environments, though it requires careful regulation of transpiration to manage water loss. Furthermore, the species demonstrates a specialized capability as a nitrogen fixer, integrating symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing microorganisms to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. This nitrogen-fixing trait provides a significant physiological advantage, enhancing the plant's ability to thrive in nutrient-poor soils by facilitating robust protein synthesis and overall metabolic vigor.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Detarium macrocarpum is centered around the production of substantial seeds that play a critical role in its dispersal and propagation strategy. These seeds exhibit significant morphological variation in size, which is a key characteristic of the species' reproductive output. Quantitatively, the seed volume fluctuates considerably, ranging from a minimum of 54,000 mm³ to a maximum of 140,000 mm³. On average, the seeds maintain a mean volume of approximately 97,000 mm³, reflecting a robust investment in reproductive energy to ensure successful germination and seedling establishment within its ecological niche.

Seed volume max:

140000 mm³

Seed volume mean:

97000 mm³

Seed volume min:

54000 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Detarium macrocarpum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Glycosides, Saponins, Tannins.

Glycosides

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Saponins

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Tannins

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Conditions

Detarium macrocarpum has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Preparations

Detarium macrocarpum has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extracts.

Aqueous extracts

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine