devil's-ear

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• devil's-ear
• earpodtree
• elephant's-ear
• monkeysoap
• earpod
• elephant ear tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pithecellobium cyclocarpum
• Mimosa cyclocarpa
• Albizia longipes
• Mimosa parota
• Feuilleea cyclocarpa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Enterolobium cyclocarpum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Enterolobium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions. Within West Tropical Africa, it can be found in the countries of Ghana, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. Its presence extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically documented in the Central African Republic. Furthermore, the species reaches the Western Indian Ocean, where it is located in the Chagos Archipelago. These varied locations highlight the wide ecological range of Enteroloebium cyclocarpum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Enterolobium cyclocarpum is characterized by its preference for the Floresta de Terra Firme, where it thrives in stable, non-flooded forest environments. This species demonstrates a broad altitudinal adaptability, occupying a diverse elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum altitude of 1200 m AMSL. This wide vertical distribution allows the plant to inhabit various ecological niches across different topographical gradients within its native forest habitats.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme

Life history

The life history of Enterolobium cyclocarpum is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years. Throughout its developmental stages, the plant exhibits a deciduous growth habit, shedding its foliage in response to seasonal environmental changes or dry periods.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Enterolobium cyclocarpum is characterized by its robust growth form as a large, woody tree. This species is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, meaning it does not act as a parasite or an epiphyte. It exhibits significant vertical development, with a mean plant height of approximately 30 m, though it can reach a maximum height of up to 60 m. Although it possesses a self-supporting structure rather than behaving as a liana, vine, or climbing habit, its massive woody stature defines its presence in the landscape.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

60 m

Plant height mean:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Enterolobium cyclocarpum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its ecological niche. The structural integrity and biomass allocation of the plant are reflected in its stem specific density (SSD), which maintains a mean value of 380 mg/cm³. Furthermore, the leaf morphology and resource acquisition strategies are indicated by a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 183.333 cm²/g, suggesting a specific balance between leaf thickness and surface area for light interception. Additionally, the plant functions as a nitrogen fixer, facilitating a symbiotic relationship that allows for the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form, thereby enhancing its nutrient uptake capabilities.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

183.333 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

380 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Enterolobium cyclocarpum is characterized by the production of seeds with significant morphological variability and specific dispersal strategies. The seeds exhibit a seed length ranging from a minimum of 15 mm to a maximum of 30 mm, with a highly consistent seed volume that remains constant at a mean, minimum, and maximum of 6400 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds show a notable range, with a minimum weight of 0.2611 g and a maximum of 1.1765 g, resulting in an overall seed mass mean of approximately 0.691541765 g. Regarding the movement of progeny, the plant utilizes a diverse array of dispersal syndromes, including anemochorous, autochorous, hydrochorous, and unspecialized methods, though it is notably identified as zoochorous, indicating that animals play a key role in its reproductive dispersal.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Seed length max:

30 mm

Seed length min:

15 mm

Seed mass max:

1.1765 g

Seed mass mean:

0.691541765 g

Seed mass min:

0.2611 g

Seed volume max:

6400 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Enterolobium cyclocarpum has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include betulinic acid.

betulinic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Enterolobium cyclocarpum has 19 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticarcinomic.

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifungal

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antileukemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Enterolobium cyclocarpum has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Pityriasis versicolor, Pneumocystis pneumonia, athlete's foot, onychomycosis.

Pityriasis versicolor

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Pneumocystis pneumonia

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Athlete's foot

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Onychomycosis

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Preparations

Enterolobium cyclocarpum has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include cyclohexane, ethanol, exudate.

Cyclohexane

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Ethanol

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Exudate

1. International journal of biological macromolecules