Erythrina excelsa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Corallodendron excelsum
• Erythrina bagshawei
• Erythrina seretii

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Erythrina excelsa, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its specific classification falls under the genus Erythrina.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Erythrina excelsa, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented in several key countries, starting with Benin. It is also found within the borders of the Ivory Coast and Liberia. Furthermore, the species extends its range into Mali. Finally, its geographical footprint includes the nation of Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Erythrina excelsa is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many successive growing seasons. As part of its seasonal physiological cycle, the plant exhibits deciduousness, shedding its foliage periodically, which is a common survival strategy to manage water loss or respond to changing environmental conditions. This combination of a long-lived life cycle and a seasonal shedding of leaves defines its growth patterns and ecological presence.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Erythrina excelsa is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree. It is a self-supporting, terrestrial species that grows independently, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. This tree reaches substantial dimensions, with a documented plant height ranging from a minimum of approximately 18.29 meters to a maximum of about 24.38 meters, maintaining an average height of 20 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

24.38429651 m

Plant height mean:

20 m

Plant height min:

18.28822238 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Erythrina excelsa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in varying light environments. As a member of the Fabaceae family, this species exhibits a specialized symbiotic relationship with rhizobial bacteria, functioning as a nitrogen fixer to enhance its nutrient uptake and soil enrichment. Through the process of biological nitrogen fixation, the plant converts atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, supporting its vigorous growth and metabolic requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Erythrina excelsa is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms to facilitate the transfer of pollen between flowers. Specifically, the plant utilizes animal vectors to ensure genetic exchange, with bees serving as a primary pollination agent in its reproductive cycle. This biological interaction ensures that pollen is efficiently moved across the landscape, supporting the successful fertilization and subsequent seed production of the species.

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Erythrina excelsa has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem.

Stem

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. Natural product research

Chemicals

Erythrina excelsa has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 6,8-diprenylgenistein, Isoflavonoids, ferulic acid.

6,8-diprenylgenistein

1. Natural product research

Isoflavonoids

1. Pharmaceutical biology

ferulic acid

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Erythrina excelsa has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic, Antioxidant.

Cytotoxic

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. Natural product research

Antioxidant

1. Natural product research

Conditions

Erythrina excelsa has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer.

Breast cancer

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Colon cancer

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Prostate cancer

1. Natural product research

Preparations

Erythrina excelsa has 3 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanol extract of the stem bark, ethyl acetate extract of Erythrina excelsa stem bark, stem bark.

Ethanol extract of the stem bark

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Ethyl acetate extract of erythrina excelsa stem bark

1. Natural product research

Stem bark

1. Journal of natural products