African dream herb

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• African Dream Herb
• Garbee Bean
• Giant Sea Bean
• Giantpod Seabean
• Mackay Bean
• Matchbox bean
• Sea-Bean
• Seabean
• Seabean Entada
• Snuffbox Seabean
• Solvent Stone
• Swordbean

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, specifically within the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Entada.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Entada rheedei, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across West Tropical Africa. Its presence is documented in the nation of Ghana, where it grows within local ecosystems. The species is also found within the borders of Guinea-Bissau, extending its range across the region. Additionally, the plant can be located in Guinea and the Ivory Coast. Finally, its distribution continues southward into the territory of Liberia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Entada rheedei is characterized by its broad adaptability to diverse topographical gradients, allowing it to inhabit a wide spectrum of environments. It thrives across an extensive elevational range, establishing itself in habitats starting from as low as 3 m AMSL up to a maximum altitude of 1800 m AMSL. This significant altitudinal breadth suggests that the species can tolerate varying climatic conditions, from lowland tropical zones to more temperate montane ecosystems. Its ability to persist across such a vast vertical distribution indicates a high degree of ecological plasticity, enabling it to integrate into various forest structures and soil types found throughout its geographic range.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

3 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Entada rheedei is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a member of the phanerophyte life forms, specifically classified under both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte categories, its reproductive buds are elevated well above the ground, typically supported by a robust climbing or woody structure. This developmental strategy enables the plant to maintain a long-term presence in its ecosystem, utilizing its perennial nature to establish stability and continuous growth through successive years.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Entada rheedei is characterized by its robust, woody growth form, functioning as a massive liana. As an obligatory climber, it exhibits a significant climbing habit, ranging in height from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 75 meters, with an average plant height of approximately 60 meters. This plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, neither aquatic nor epiphytic, and it maintains an independent biological status, functioning as a non-parasitic organism.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

other

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

75 m

Plant height mean:

60 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Entada rheedei is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency under typical environmental conditions. As a plant utilizing the C3 mechanism, it relies on the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells, making its metabolic rate highly dependent on temperature and moisture availability. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, and instead must rely on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds directly from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Entada rheedei has 1 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Fitoterapia
2. Journal of natural medicines
3. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Chemicals

Entada rheedei has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Corchoionoside C, Entadamide A, Homogentisic acid, N-acetylglucosamine.

Corchoionoside C

1. Journal of natural medicines

Entadamide A

1. Fitoterapia

Homogentisic acid

1. Fitoterapia

N-acetylglucosamine

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Conditions

Entada rheedei has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include AIDS, HIV, HIV infection.

Aids

1. Fitoterapia

Hiv

1. Fitoterapia

Hiv infection

1. Fitoterapia

Preparations

Entada rheedei has 2 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include seed kernels, methanolic extract of the seed kernels.

Seed kernels

1. Fitoterapia
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Methanolic extract of the seed kernels

1. Journal of natural medicines