Red Bean Tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Red Bean Tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Chirocalyx velutinus
• Corallodendron velutinum
• Erythrina aurantiaca
• Erythrina aculeatissima
• Erythrina splendida
• Erythrina velutina f. aurantiaca

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is a member of the family Fabaceae and is classified under the genus Erythrina. Specifically, Erythrina velutina represents a unique species within this taxonomic hierarchy.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several continents and distinct ecological zones. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found inhabiting the Gulf of Guinea Islands. Its presence extends to East Tropical Africa, specifically within the borders of Uganda. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, the species is documented growing in Sri Lanka. Finally, it reaches the Caribbean region, where it is located in both Aruba and the Cayman Islands.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Erythrina velutina is characterized by its presence in specific biomes, primarily occurring within the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Carrasco, and Floresta Estacional Decidual habitats. This species thrives within a relatively low-altitude environmental niche, occupying an elevational range that extends from a minimum of 10 m AMSL to a maximum of 150 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

150 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

10 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Carrasco, Floresta Estacional Decidual

Life history

The life history of Erythrina velutinina is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years through repeated growth cycles. Its phenology is distinctly marked by a deciduous nature, meaning it sheds its foliage seasonally, typically in response to environmental stressors or changes in moisture availability. This cycle of leaf senescence and regrowth is a fundamental aspect of its survival strategy, ensuring the plant can manage its resources effectively throughout its long-lived existence.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Erythrina velutina is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, typically reaching a mean height of 10 m, though it can attain a maximum height of up to 18 m. It functions as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or a liana, exhibiting a growth form that is entirely independent and non-parasitic. As a strictly terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic tendencies, whether obligatory or facultative, and thrives in terrestrial environments. The plant's structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, supporting its significant vertical development within its habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Erythrina velutina is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide during glucose synthesis. As a member of the Fabaceae family, this species functions as a nitrogen fixer, maintaining a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria in its root nodules to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, which enhances its nutrient uptake and growth in nitrogen-poor soils.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Erythrina velutina is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on avian vectors for successful fertilization. Detailed observations of its pollination mechanisms indicate a strong dependency on birds, which act as the primary biological agents in the transfer of pollen. The reproductive output of the species is reflected in its seed characteristics, where the seeds exhibit a highly consistent morphology. Specifically, the seed mass is uniform across observations, with a mean, maximum, and minimum value all recorded at 0.54645 g, suggesting a standardized energetic investment in each individual seed produced.

Pollination syndrome :

bird

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.54645 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Erythrina velutina has 3 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed, stem.

Leaf

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. Journal of advanced research

Seed

1. Journal of advanced research

Stem

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Chemicals

Erythrina velutina has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Hypaphorine, Indole alkaloid.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hypaphorine

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

Indole alkaloid

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

Activities

Erythrina velutina has 6 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Anticonvulsant, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anxiolytic.

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anticonvulsant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anxiolytic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Neuroprotective

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Erythrina velutina has 9 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include central nervous system disorders, anxiety, central nervous system, central nervous system depressants, convulsion.

Central nervous system disorders

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Pharmaceutical biology

Anxiety

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Central nervous system

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Central nervous system depressants

1. Journal of advanced research

Convulsion

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Convulsions

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Depression

1. Heliyon

Inflammation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Insomnia

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Erythrina velutina has 3 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include hydroalcoholic extracts, EV leaf aqueous extract (AE), alkaloid-rich extracts (AKEs).

Hydroalcoholic extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Ev leaf aqueous extract (ae)

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Alkaloid-rich extracts (akes)

1. Pharmaceutical biology