Entada abyssinica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Entadopsis abyssinica
• Gigalobium abyssinicum
• Entada abyssinica var. intermedia
• Entada abyssinica var. microphylla
• Prosopis lanceolata
• Elephantorrhiza pubescens
• Pusaetha abyssinica

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Entada abyssinica, is classified within the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It belongs to the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling under the order Fabales. Ultimately, it is a member of the family Fabaceae and the genus Entada.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed throughout the West Tropical Africa region. Within this expansive zone, it can be found growing in the country of Benin. Its range also extends to include the territories of Burkina and Gambia. Additionally, the species is documented as being present in Ghana. Finally, its geographical footprint reaches into the nation of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Entada abyssinicica is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its buds well above the ground, typically manifesting as a woody climbing or spreading structure. The species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage seasonally as part of its physiological cycle. Within the classification of life forms, it is specifically identified as a phanerophyte, reflecting its growth habit and survival strategy in its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Entada abyssinica is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as a self-supporting climber. This plant exhibits significant structural variability in size, with a minimum height of 3 m and a maximum height reaching approximately 12.19 m, resulting in a mean plant height of 12.5 m. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor semiaquatic, and it maintains an independent existence rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. Its robust, woody nature supports its development as a substantial botanical structure within its habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12.19214826 m

Plant height mean:

12.5 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Entada abyssinica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. As a member of the Fabaceae family, this species also functions as a nitrogen fixer, utilizing a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria located within its root nodules to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, thereby enhancing its nutrient acquisition capabilities in various soil environments.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Entada abyssinica is characterized by specific seed morphological traits and diverse dispersal mechanisms. The species produces seeds with a varying mass, ranging from a minimum of 0.20547 g to a maximum of 0.33144 g, with an average seed mass of approximately 0.24784 g. Regarding its dispersal strategy, the plant exhibits a complex dispersal syndrome, primarily identified as autochorous. However, its reproductive success is supported by a broad spectrum of potential dispersal modes, including anemochorous, zoochorous, hydrochorous, and unspecialized methods, as well as anthropochorous, endozoochorous, epizoochorous, and myrmecocorous processes.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Seed mass max:

0.33144 g

Seed mass mean:

0.24784 g

Seed mass min:

0.20547 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Entada abyssinica has 3 reported plant parts identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem, leaf, root.

Stem

1. Natural product communications
2. Mycoses
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Chemotherapy
5. Die Pharmazie

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Entada abyssinica has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Terpenoids, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl icosanoate, 24-Hydroxytormentic acid, Chondrillasterol.

Flavonoids

1. BMC research notes
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Terpenoids

1. BMC research notes
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

2,3-dihydroxypropyl icosanoate

1. Natural product research

24-Hydroxytormentic acid

1. Natural product research

Chondrillasterol

1. Natural product research

ENTADAMIDE

1. Natural product research

Kolavenol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Monoglyceride

1. BMC research notes

Monomethyl kolavate

1. Natural product research

Tannins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Entada abyssinica has 2 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antiplasmodial.

Antimicrobial

1. BMC research notes

Antiplasmodial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Entada abyssinica has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Helicobacter pylori, Semliki forest virus, bacteria, bacterial infections, diarrhea.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations