Millettia richardiana

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Mundulea hysterantha
• Neodunnia atrocyanea
• Millettia baronii
• Neodunnia edentata
• Mundulea richardiana

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further organized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Within this lineage, it is identified by the genus Millettia, specifically as the species Millettia richardiana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a very specific and restricted range of occurrence. Its geographical distribution is confined primarily to the Western Indian Ocean region. Within this area, it is found natively on the island of Madagascar. No other major landmasses are currently recorded as hosting this particular species. Consequently, its survival is closely tied to the unique ecological conditions of the Malagasy landscape.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Millettia richardiana is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many growing seasons. Throughout its developmental stages, the plant exhibits a deciduous growth habit, meaning it undergoes a period of seasonal leaf shedding before regenerating new foliage.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Millettia richardiana is characterized by its growth form as a large, woody tree that typically reaches an average height of 15 m. This species is strictly terrestrial in its habitat and does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, nor does it function as a climber, as it is a self-supporting plant. Its structure is defined by its significant woodiness, which provides the necessary stability for its substantial stature within its natural ecosystem.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Millettia richardiana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle for carbon fixation during the light-independent reactions. This metabolic strategy involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, relying instead on the uptake of available nitrogenous compounds from the soil.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Millettia richardiana is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. This insect-mediated process ensures the successful fertilization required for the development of its reproductive structures. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds that exhibit specific morphological variations in weight. The seed mass typically ranges from a minimum of 0.0571 g to a maximum of 0.09177 g, with the mean seed mass recorded at 0.074435 g. This range in seed mass reflects the natural variability inherent in its reproductive output, contributing to the species' capacity for dispersal and establishment within its ecological niche.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.09177 g

Seed mass mean:

0.074435 g

Seed mass min:

0.0571 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Millettia richardiana has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem.

Stem

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Millettia richardiana has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Lonchocarpenin, Lupeol, Terpenoids, betulinic acid, linoleic acid.

Lonchocarpenin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Lupeol

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Terpenoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

betulinic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

linoleic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

palmitic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

stearic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Millettia richardiana has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal, Antiprotozoal.

Antifungal

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiprotozoal

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Millettia richardiana has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Leishmania donovani, Plasmodium falciparum.

Leishmania donovani

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Plasmodium falciparum

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Millettia richardiana has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Water crude extracts of the stem barks.

Water crude extracts of the stem barks

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)