Bead-Bean

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Bead-Bean
• beadbean

Scientific Names

Accepted name

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. It is further classified within the order Brassicales and the family Capparaceae. Finally, the species is categorized under the genus Maerua.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to the West Tropical Africa region, where it can be found in several different countries. Specifically, its presence has been documented within the borders of Benin. It also grows naturally throughout the territory of Burkina. Furthermore, the species is distributed across the landscapes of Ghana and Guinea. Finally, its range extends to the West Tropical African nation of Gambia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Maerua angolenis is characterized by its adaptability to diverse terrain and vegetation types across a broad altitudinal gradient. This species thrives in varied environments, ranging from low-lying areas at an elevation of 5 m AMSL to higher elevations reaching a maximum of 1220 m AMSL. Its preferred habitats include deciduous bushland, woodland, and wooded grassland, as well as dense thickets situated on corals.

Elevational range max:

1220 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

5 m AMSL

Habitat :

deciduous bushland, woodland, wooded grassland, thickets on corals

Life history

The life history of Maerua angolenis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons within its natural habitat. Structurally, it is classified as a phanerophyte, a life form where the primary stem and reproductive organs are elevated well above the ground level, typically protected by woody tissue. This phanerophytic growth habit is consistent across its developmental stages, ensuring its survival through various environmental conditions by maintaining its vital structures above the soil surface.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Maerua angolenis is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically functioning as a tree. It is an independent plant that does not exhibit parasitic behavior and grows in terrestrial environments rather than aquatic or epiphytic habitats. In terms of stature, the plant varies in height, with a minimum height of 3 m, a maximum height of 10 m, and an average height of approximately 7 m. Although it is categorized as a tree, it possesses self-supporting characteristics that distinguish its structural habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

7 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Maerua angolenis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy typical of many woody species in its genus, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide via the Calvin cycle. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms and must instead rely on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium available within the soil matrix.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Maerua angolenis is characterized by specific seed morphological traits that play a crucial role in its dispersal and establishment strategies. The seeds produced by this species exhibit a notable range of variation in their physical dimensions, particularly regarding their weight. The seed mass demonstrates a mean value of 0.10904 g, serving as a central metric for its reproductive output. However, there is significant individual variation within the population, with seed mass ranging from a minimum of 0.04683 g to a maximum of 0.20011 g. This distribution of seed mass suggests a diverse investment in reproductive units, which may influence the plant's ability to colonize different microhabitats and survive varying environmental pressures.

Seed mass max:

0.20011 g

Seed mass mean:

0.10904 g

Seed mass min:

0.04683 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Maerua angolensis 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, stem.

Leaf

1. Journal of nematology

Stem

1. Journal of nematology

Chemicals

Maerua angolensis has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 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

Activities

Maerua angolensis has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anxiolytic, Sedative.

Anxiolytic

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Sedative

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Conditions

Maerua angolensis has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include epilepsy, insomnia.

Epilepsy

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Insomnia

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences