Ana tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• anatree
• musangu tree
• whitethorn
• winterthorn
• Albida
• Apple-Ring Acacia
• Apple-Ring Thorntree
• Livingstone's Trees
• River thorn
• White Monkey Thorn
• White Monkey-Thorn
• Winter-Thorn
• applering acacia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Acacia albida var. microfoliolata
• Acacia mossambicensis
• Acacia saccharata
• Acacia selenicarpa
• Acacia gyrocarpa
• Prosopis kirkii
• Faidherbia albida var. glabra
• Faidherbia albida var. pseudoglabra
• Acacia albida var. senegalensis
• Acacia albida var. variofoliolata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by its specific genus, Faidherbia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range stretching across several regions of the African continent. In Northern Africa, its presence is documented within the borders of Algeria and Egypt. It can also be found throughout the territories of Libya and Western Sahara. Moving southward, the species extends into the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, its distribution includes the nation of Benin.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Faidherbia albida is characterized by its ability to inhabit a broad altitudinal gradient, allowing it to thrive across diverse topographical landscapes. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to varying environmental pressures, establishing itself within an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 6 m AMSL to a maximum of 1220 m AMSL. This wide vertical distribution suggests that the plant can tolerate a variety of microclimates, ranging from lowland coastal or tropical lowland conditions to higher-altitude montane environments. Such ecological plasticity enables the species to occupy multiple niches, potentially encountering different soil compositions, moisture availability, and temperature regimes throughout its natural habitat.

Elevational range max:

1220 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

6 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Faidherbia albida is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem over many years. It adopts a phanerophyte life form, specifically categorized as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, which indicates that its buds are located on aerial parts well above the ground level. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage seasonally as part of its biological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Faidherbia albida is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree. As a terrestrial species, it is an independent organism that does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting and does not exhibit climbing behavior. In terms of stature, it reaches significant heights, with a minimum height of 3 m, a mean height of 25 m, and a maximum height of up to 30 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Faidherbia albida is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes, most notably its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway to convert light energy, water, and carbon dioxide into chemical energy. This carbon fixation strategy is complemented by a highly efficient nitrogen metabolism, as the plant functions as a nitrogen fixer. Through a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, it possesses the biological capability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, which significantly influences its nutrient cycling and ecological role.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Faidherbia albida is driven by biotic pollination syndromes, primarily facilitated by insects, with butterflies playing a specific role in the pollination process. The plant is capable of self-fertilization, ensuring reproductive success through the presence of self-fertilization mechanisms. The resulting fruit is classified as a pod, which is characterized by a dehiscence mechanism, allowing the fruit to split open at maturity to release its seeds. The seeds produced vary significantly in size, with a minimum seed mass of 0.01661 g and a maximum seed mass reaching 0.17082 g, resulting in an average seed mass of approximately 0.093038571 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Fruit type :

pod

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

butterfly

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.17082 g

Seed mass mean:

0.093038571 g

Seed mass min:

0.01661 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Faidherbia albida has 2 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 leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Heliyon

Root

1. Heliyon

Chemicals

Faidherbia albida has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Coumarins, Flavonoids, Glycosides, Phenols, Saponins.

Coumarins

1. Heliyon

Flavonoids

1. Heliyon

Glycosides

1. Heliyon

Phenols

1. Heliyon

Saponins

1. Heliyon

Tannins

1. Heliyon

Medicinal Uses

Faidherbia albida has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Caenorhabditis elegans, onchocerciasis.

Most Reported Uses