Sierra Leone-tamarind

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Sierra Leone-tamarind
• velvet tamarind

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Codarium solanderi
• Codarium acutifolium
• Codarium discolor
• Codarium nitidum
• Codarium obtusifolium
• Dialium discolor
• Dialium anomalum
• Dialium nitidum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Fabales and falls into the family Fabaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Dialium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across various regions within West Tropical Africa. Specifically, it can be found growing in the country of Benin. Its presence is also well-documented throughout the territory of Burkina. Furthermore, the species inhabits parts of the Gambia and Ghana. Finally, its geographical range extends into Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dialium guineense is characterized by its preference for growing in dense primary vegetation, where it thrives within the complex structural layers of established forest ecosystems. In these environments, the plant benefits from the stable microclimate, high humidity, and nutrient-rich organic matter provided by the decomposing leaf litter of the forest floor. By occupying niches within dense primary vegetation, it interacts closely with a diverse community of flora and fauna, relying on the shade-tolerant characteristics of the understory or the light-seeking strategies of the canopy depending on its specific successional stage. This habitat provides the necessary protection from extreme environmental fluctuations and supports the complex symbiotic relationships, such as specific pollinator interactions and mycorrhizal associations, required for its long-term survival and reproductive success.

Habitat :

in dense primary vegetation

Life history

The life history of Dialium guineense is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs at a significant height above the ground, specifically categorized under the phanerophyte life form to describe its structural habit. Throughout its developmental stages and seasonal cycles, the plant exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that it retains its foliage to support continuous metabolic processes and long-term survival within its ecosystem.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Dialium guineense is characterized by its stature as a robust, woody tree. It typically reaches a mean height of approximately 11.5 m, though it can grow to a maximum height of up to 18.28822238 m. As a terrestrial species, it is classified as an independent organism, meaning it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is entirely self-supporting in its growth habit, exhibiting no climbing tendencies such as lianas or vines. Its structural development is defined by a permanent woody constitution, consistent with its classification as a large tree within its ecosystem.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18.28822238 m

Plant height mean:

11.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Dialium guineense is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its native tropical environments. In terms of nutrient cycling and soil interaction, this species functions as a nitrogen fixer, contributing to the enrichment of the soil nitrogen pool through biological processes. This combination of C3 metabolism and nitrogen-fixing capabilities influences its growth patterns, resource allocation, and ability to thrive in diverse ecological niches.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Dialium guineense follows a distinct seasonal cycle, with the flowering period specifically concentrated in August. This flowering stage transitions rapidly into the fruiting stage, which also occurs in September, though the timing can be variable across different environments. The seeds produced during this cycle are relatively small, characterized by a mean seed mass of approximately 0.1322 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.1075 g to a maximum of 0.15899 g. In terms of propagation strategy, the plant utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning its seeds are dispersed by animals, which plays a critical role in the colonization and spread of the species within its ecosystem.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruiting time :

Sep

Seed mass max:

0.15899 g

Seed mass mean:

0.132216667 g

Seed mass min:

0.1075 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Dialium guineense has 5 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit, root, seed, stem.

Leaf

1. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition
2. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Fruit

1. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition

Root

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Seed

1. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition

Stem

1. Annals of medical and health sciences research

Chemicals

Dialium guineense has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Proanthocyanidins, Saponins.

Flavonoids

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Proanthocyanidins

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Saponins

1. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition

Activities

Dialium guineense has 1 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of applied biomedicine

Conditions

Dialium guineense has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include fever, headache, peptic ulcers, ulcer.

Fever

1. Annals of medical and health sciences research

Headache

1. Annals of medical and health sciences research

Peptic ulcers

1. Journal of applied biomedicine

Ulcer

1. Journal of applied biomedicine