Acacia Jackalskos

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Acacia Jackalskos
• African Jackalskos
• Tuka

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hydnora johannis var. quinquefida
• Hydnora abyssinica var. quinquefida
• Hydnora angolensis
• Hydnora bogosensis
• Hydnora aethiopica
• Hydnora gigantea
• Hydnora gigantea var. trimera
• Hydnora michaelis
• Hydnora ruspolii
• Hydnora johannis
• Hydnora johannis var. gigantea
• Hydnora johannis f. trimera
• Hydnora johannis f. quinquefida

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Piperales, placing it in the family Aristolochiaceae. Specifically, the species Hydnora abyssinica is identified by the genus Hydnora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the tropical regions of Africa. In West Tropical Africa, its presence has been documented in Nigeria. Moving into West-Central Tropical Africa, the species can be found in the Central African Republic and Gabon. Additionally, it inhabits the areas of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Collectively, these locations highlight a range situated primarily within the heart of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Hydnora abyssinicа is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the organism to persist in its environment over multiple years. As an unconventional holoparasitic plant, its development is deeply integrated with its host, often remaining largely subterranean for extended periods. The plant lacks chlorophyll and does not undergo traditional photosynthetic growth stages; instead, it relies entirely on its host for nutrients and water. Its life cycle involves the periodic emergence of specialized, fleshy floral structures through the soil surface to facilitate reproduction. Once these flowers emerge, they undergo complex interactions with specific insect pollinators, driven by the emission of chemical cues. Following successful pollination, the plant completes its reproductive cycle through seed production, which is then dispersed to facilitate the establishment of new parasitic connections with suitable hosts, ensuring the continuity of its perennial existence.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hydnora abyssinica is characterized by its unique biological lifestyle and physical structure, functioning as an obligatory parasite. It is a non-woody herb that lacks traditional photosynthetic organs, instead existing as a terrestrial organism. Rather than being aquatic or a climber, the plant is entirely self-supporting within its niche, though it does not exhibit any climbing or epiphytic tendencies, remaining strictly terrestrial. Its growth form is that of a small herb, with a maximum plant height reaching only approximately 0.15 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

obligatory

Plant height max:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hydnora abyssica is defined by its highly specialized holoparasitic lifestyle, which renders it entirely dependent on its host plants for survival. Lacking chlorophyll, the plant is incapable of photosynthesis, meaning it does not engage in autotrophic carbon fixation. Instead, its physiological processes are centered around the absorption of organic nutrients, water, and minerals directly from the root systems of its hosts via a specialized haustorium. This parasitic connection allows the plant to bypass the need for traditional vegetative structures like leaves or stems. Regarding its metabolic interactions with soil nutrients, Hydnora abyssica is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, instead relying on the host to provide all necessary nitrogenous compounds. Its physiological cycle is heavily geared toward rapid, episodic growth, where metabolic energy is primarily diverted toward the development of large, subterranean-anchored reproductive structures designed to attract pollinators through chemical signaling.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hydnora abyssinica is characterized by a complex biotic pollination syndrome, relying entirely on living organisms rather than abiotic factors to facilitate the transfer of pollen. This process is primarily driven by insect vectors, specifically utilizing a specialized relationship with beetle populations to ensure successful fertilization. The plant's reproductive strategy functions through these biotic interactions, where the attraction and movement of beetles serve as the critical mechanism for completing its life cycle.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

beetle

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hydnora abyssinica has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, flower.

Root

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flower

1. Die Pharmazie

Chemicals

Hydnora abyssinica has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CATECHIN, Flavonoids, Proanthocyanidins, Tannins, rautandiol A.

CATECHIN

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Flavonoids

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Proanthocyanidins

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Tannins

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

rautandiol A

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Activities

Hydnora abyssinica has 4 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antioxidant, Antiproliferative.

Antibacterial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antifungal

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiproliferative

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Hydnora abyssinica has 8 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Plasmodium falciparum, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, antioxidant.

Cancer

1. Die Pharmazie
2. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Plasmodium falciparum

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Gastric ulcer

1. Die Pharmazie

Infectious diseases

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Stomach diseases

1. Die Pharmazie

Preparations

Hydnora abyssinica has 3 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Root preparations, ethanol extract, ethyl acetate extract.

Root preparations

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine

Ethanol extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethyl acetate extract

1. Tropical medicine and health