Indigofera flavicans

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Anil flavicans

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, falling into the family Fabaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Indigofera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily located within the diverse landscapes of South Tropical Africa. Specifically, its presence can be documented across the territories of Angola and Mozambique. It also extends its range into the inland regions of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Furthermore, the species reaches into the southern reaches of the continent within Botswana. These various locations highlight the specific regional distribution of this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Indigofera flavicans is characterized by its ability to thrive within a diverse vertical distribution across varying montane landscapes. This species occupies an extensive altitudinal gradient, establishing itself in habitats ranging from lower elevations of 610 m AMSL to high-altitude environments reaching up to 3000 m AMSL. This broad elevational range suggests a high degree of ecological plasticity, allowing the plant to adapt to the varying temperature regimes, atmospheric pressures, and moisture levels found between sub-montane and high-montane zones. Such a wide distribution indicates that the species can successfully compete in various ecological niches, provided the specific soil and climatic requirements of these altitude brackets are met.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

610 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Indigofera flavicans is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial plant, it does not complete its life cycle within a single year but instead maintains a long-term presence, often developing robust root systems that support its continued growth and reproduction over several years. This life cycle strategy enables the plant to withstand seasonal fluctuations and establish a stable foothold within its specific ecological niche, contributing to its long-term survival and ability to produce successive generations of offspring.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Indigofera flavicans is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form, functioning as a self-supporting herb. It exhibits a versatile ecological habit, ranging from aquatic and semiaquatic environments to terrestrial habitats, and it does not function as an epiphyte or a parasite, remaining an independent organism. The plant maintains a relatively low stature, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 meters to a maximum of 1.2 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Indigofera flavicans is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its specific ecological niche. Furthermore, the plant functions as a nitrogen fixer, utilizing a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a biologically available form, thereby enhancing its nutrient uptake and promoting soil fertility.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Indigofera flavicans is characterized by the production of small, specialized seeds that exhibit specific morphological variations in weight. The seed mass of this species is relatively minute, with a measured mean mass of 0.003745 g. Within the population, there is a documented range of seed sizes, where the individual seed mass fluctuates from a minimum of 0.00199 g to a maximum of 0.0055 g. These quantitative traits suggest a reproductive strategy centered on producing a high volume of lightweight seeds to facilitate dispersal.

Seed mass max:

0.0055 g

Seed mass mean:

0.003745 g

Seed mass min:

0.00199 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Indigofera flavicans has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ARSENIC, CHROMIUM, LEAD, NICKEL.

ARSENIC

1. Analytica chimica acta

CHROMIUM

1. Analytica chimica acta

LEAD

1. Analytica chimica acta

NICKEL

1. Analytica chimica acta