Erythrina humeana

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several key regions of the African continent. In East Tropical Africa, its presence is noted within the borders of Kenya. Moving toward South Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in both Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The species also extends into the Southern African region, specifically inhabiting the Cape Provinces. Additionally, its geographical range includes the mountainous territory of Lesotho.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Erythrina humeana is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution that allows it to inhabit diverse topographical landscapes. This species is found across a wide elevational gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1700 m AMSL. This significant vertical range suggests an adaptability to varying climatic conditions, spanning from lowland tropical environments to higher-altitude montane zones. Such a distribution typically indicates the plant's ability to tolerate diverse soil types and varying levels of moisture and temperature associated with different elevations within its native habitat.

Elevational range max:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Erythrina humeana is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a deciduous species, it undergoes a seasonal cycle of shedding its foliage, a physiological adaptation that often serves to conserve moisture or respond to specific climatic shifts within its habitat. This combination of a long-lived perennial life cycle and a deciduous growth habit dictates its rhythmic patterns of leaf production, flowering, and dormancy.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Erythrina humeana is characterized by a woody, self-supporting growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub. As a terrestrial plant, it functions as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. In terms of its physical stature, the plant exhibits significant variability in height, ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 4 m, with an average height of approximately 4 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

4 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Erythrina humeana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide into organic compounds. Furthermore, this species functions as a nitrogen fixer, maintaining a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria within its root nodules to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form, which supports its nutrient requirements and enhances soil fertility.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Erythrina humeana is driven by biotic pollination syndromes, relying on living organisms to facilitate the transfer of pollen between flowers. This reproductive process is primarily characterized by insect pollination, involving a variety of specialized pollinators such as bees, beetles, ants, butterflies, moths, and flies. By engaging these diverse insect groups, the plant ensures efficient genetic exchange through biotic mechanisms rather than abiotic factors like wind or water.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology