Matchbox bean

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• St. Thomas-bean
• elva-climber
• gogovine
• matchbox-bean
• Matchbox Bean
• Sea Bean
• St. Thomas Bean

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Entada scandens
• Strepsilobus scandens
• Gigalobium scandens
• Acacia scandens
• Entada scandens var. discosperma
• Lens phaseoloides
• Adenanthera gago
• Perima odorata
• Mimosa blancoana
• Mimosa scandens
• Entada rumphii
• Prosopis scandens
• Entada scandens var. aequilatera
• Pusaetha scandens
• Entada adenanthera
• Entada gandu
• Adenanthera scandens

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 within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is situated in the family Fabaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Entada.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several distinct regions within East Asia. In China, it can be found spanning from the South-Central provinces to the coastal areas of Southeast China. Its presence extends to the tropical island of Hainan and reaches as far north as the high-altitude terrain of Tibet. Furthermore, the species is documented to grow naturally in the islands of Japan. This diverse range highlights its adaptability to various environmental conditions across the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Entada phaseoloides is characterized by its specific niche within halophytic vegetation, where it thrives in saline-influenced environments. This species occupies a distinct altitudinal band, typically occurring at elevations ranging from a minimum of 1000 m AMSL to a maximum of 1600 m AMSL. Its ability to establish itself within halophytic plant communities indicates a specialized adaptation to the chemical and soil conditions found in these coastal or salt-tolerant ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1000 m AMSL

Habitat :

halophytic vegetation

Life history

The life history of Entada phaseoloides is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated woody structures, specifically manifesting as a climbing woody vine or liana that reaches significant heights to access light. Throughout its development, it maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains present to support continuous metabolic processes and growth cycles.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Entada phaseoloides is characterized by a large, woody growth form, specifically functioning as a liana. As an obligatory climber, it relies on external structures for support to reach significant heights, with a mean plant height reaching approximately 30 m. The plant is terrestrial in its habitat and does not exhibit epiphytic or aquatic tendencies, nor does it function as a parasite, maintaining an independent existence. While its growth form can be categorized under broader classifications such as a shrub or other specialized types, its structural identity is defined by its robust, woody stems that allow it to thrive in its natural environment.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

other

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Entada phaseoloideides is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and energy production efficiency. The plant exhibits a non-succulent morphology, indicating a lack of specialized water-storage tissues in its vegetative structures. Its foliage is defined by variable leaf dimensions, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 10 cm, and widths spanning from 1 cm to 6 cm. Furthermore, the species functions as a nitrogen fixer, utilizing symbiotic relationships to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a biologically available form, thereby enhancing soil fertility and its own nutritional uptake.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length min:

2.5 cm

Leaf width max:

6 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Entada phaseoloides is characterized by the production of large, distinctive fruit in the form of a pod. These pods are substantial in size, reaching a maximum length of 200 cm and a width ranging between 6 cm and 13 cm. The fruit is classified as dehiscent, meaning it opens at maturity to release its contents. Within these pods, the seeds are quite large and robust, with lengths varying from a minimum of 35 mm to a maximum of 55 mm. The seeds also exhibit significant width, ranging from 33 mm to 45 mm, and a height between 1 mm and 1.5 mm. Regarding its dispersal strategy, the plant utilizes a hydrochorous syndrome, relying on water as the primary medium to transport its seeds to new locations.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Fruit length max:

200 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

13 cm

Fruit width min:

6 cm

Seed height max:

1.5 mm

Seed height min:

1 mm

Seed length max:

55 mm

Seed length min:

35 mm

Seed width max:

45 mm

Seed width min:

33 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Entada phaseoloides has 2 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 seed, stem.

Seed

1. Journal of AOAC International
2. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine
3. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
4. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Stem

1. BMC genomics
2. Frontiers in plant science

Chemicals

Entada phaseoloides has 20 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Entadamide A, ENTADAMIDE-A-BETA-D-GLUCOPYRANOSIDE, ANTHOCYANIN, Anthocyanins, Clinacoside C.

Entadamide A

1. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine
2. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
3. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

ENTADAMIDE-A-BETA-D-GLUCOPYRANOSIDE

1. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine
2. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

ANTHOCYANIN

1. Frontiers in plant science

Anthocyanins

1. Frontiers in plant science

Clinacoside C

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

ETHYL 2,5-DIHYDROXYPHENYLACETATE

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Entadamide B

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Flavonoid

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Flavonoids

1. Frontiers in plant science

Flavonol

1. Frontiers in plant science

Activities

Entada phaseoloides has 5 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidepressant, Antiinflammatory, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. Scientific reports

Anticancer

1. Scientific reports

Antidepressant

1. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine

Antiinflammatory

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Antioxidant

1. Scientific reports

Medicinal Uses

Entada phaseoloides has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include bruises, cancer, endoplasmic reticulum stress, hematochezia, hepatocellular carcinoma.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations