Indigofera pulchra

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Anil rufescens
• Indigofera pulchra var. andongensis
• Indigofera dupuisii
• Indigofera dosycnium

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Indigofera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Indigofera pulchra, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. Within this zone, it can be found growing in the country of Benin. Its presence extends further to include parts of Burkina Faso. Additionally, the species is documented in the nation of Gambia. Finally, its range continues through the territory of Ghana and into Guinea-Bissau.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Indigofera pulchrra is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, meaning it completes its entire developmental cycle—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it follows a distinct survival strategy where the plant body dies off at the end of the season, leaving only seeds to endure unfavorable environmental conditions and ensure the continuity of the species. This life form is further categorized under the broader botanical classification of therophyte, emphasizing its reliance on a temporary vegetative existence that prioritizes rapid growth and prolific seed dispersal to exploit seasonal resources.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Indigofera pulchra is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody shrub and herb, exhibiting a self-supporting structure that does not rely on climbing. The plant is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, though it possesses a versatile ecological range that spans aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial environments. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, nor does it function as an epiphyte, remaining firmly rooted in the soil. In terms of physical dimensions, the plant reaches a maximum height of approximately 1.524 meters, maintaining a stature consistent with its shrubby, non-woody habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.524018532 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

Reproduction in Indigofera pulchrha is characterized by the production of minute seeds that play a critical role in the species' dispersal and recruitment. The reproductive output is defined by highly uniform seed dimensions, as evidenced by the seed mass data. The seeds exhibit a consistent mass with a mean value of 0.00115 g, a maximum value of 0.00115 g, and a minimum value of 0.00115 g. This lack of variance in seed mass suggests a highly stabilized reproductive strategy, where each individual seed carries a precise, standardized amount of nutrient reserves to support early seedling development. Such uniformity in seed mass is often an evolutionary adaptation to optimize germination success within specific ecological niches.

Seed mass mean:

0.00115 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Indigofera pulchra has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Saponins, Flavonoids, Steroids, Tannins.

Saponins

1. Nigerian journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Flavonoids

1. Nigerian journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Steroids

1. Nigerian journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Tannins

1. Nigerian journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Medicinal Uses

Indigofera pulchra has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include gastrointestinal disorder, gout, malaria, rheumatoid arthritis.

Most Reported Uses