Bell-bean

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Bellbean-Tree
• Maroon Bellbean
• bellbean

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Markhamia acuminata
• Spathodea stenocarpa
• Markhamia stenocarpa
• Muenteria zanzibarica
• Markhamia puberula
• Muenteria stenocarpa
• Muenteria puberula
• Spathodea zanzibarica
• Spathodea puberula
• Spathodea acuminata
• Dolichandrone stenocarpa
• Dolichandrone hirsuta
• Dolichandrone latifolia

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 organized under the order Lamiales and the family Bignoniaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Markhamia, specifically as the species Markhamia zanzibariica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical range across several distinct regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, its presence is noted within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Moving towards the northeast, it can also be found in the country of Somalia. The distribution extends into East Tropical Africa, specifically within the borders of Kenya. Finally, the species reaches into South Tropical Africa, appearing in both Angola and Malawi.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Markhamia zanzibariica is characterized by its preference for specific environmental niches, primarily thriving within dry forest ecosystems and secondary bush habitats. This species occupies a distinct altitudinal belt, maintaining a presence across a mid-elevation gradient. Its distribution begins at a minimum elevation of 520 m AMSL and extends to a maximum elevation of 940 m AMSL, suggesting a specialized adaptation to the moisture and temperature regimes found within these specific topographical ranges.

Elevational range max:

940 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

520 m AMSL

Habitat :

dry forest and secondary bush

Life history

The life history of Markhamia zanzibariica is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habits and survival strategies, the plant exhibits a dual botanical profile; it is categorized as a phanerophyte, indicating that its perennable buds are borne on aerial shoots well above the ground, while it also displays traits consistent with a nanophanerophyte, where the shoots are relatively short. This life history allows the plant to maintain a stable presence within its ecological niche over an extended duration.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Markhamia zanzibariica is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which is a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or liana. This terrestrial plant typically reaches a mean height of 8 meters, though it can attain a maximum height of up to 9 meters. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, functioning neither as an epiphyte nor as an aquatic or semiaquatic species.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

9 m

Plant height mean:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Markhamia zanzibariica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in its native environment. As a C3 plant, it utilizes the enzyme RuBisCO to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide directly into the Calvin cycle, a mechanism that is typically most efficient under moderate temperatures and sufficient moisture levels. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as rhizobia, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into biologically available forms; instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium present in the soil to meet its nutritional requirements for growth and development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Markhamia zanzibariica is driven by biotic pollination syndromes, characterized primarily by interactions with insects and ants. These biological agents play a crucial role in the transfer of pollen, ensuring the successful fertilization required for seed development. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds that exhibit significant variability in size. The seed mass ranges from a minimum of 0.01832 g to a maximum of 0.05176 g, with a calculated mean seed mass of 0.03055 g. This variation in seed mass suggests a degree of reproductive plasticity within the species' dispersal and establishment strategies.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

ant

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.05176 g

Seed mass mean:

0.03055 g

Seed mass min:

0.01832 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Markhamia zanzibarica has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Lignans, Phytosterols, Terpenoids.

Flavonoids

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Lignans

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Phytosterols

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Terpenoids

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Activities

Markhamia zanzibarica has 6 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antifungal, Antiinflammatory, Antiprotozoal, Antiviral.

Analgesic

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Antifungal

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Antiinflammatory

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Antiprotozoal

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Antiviral

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Cytotoxic

1. Pharmacognosy reviews