Millettia thonningii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Robinia thonningii
• Phaseoloides thonningii
• Millettia atite

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Millettia, with the species being Millettia thonningii.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Millettia thonnigii, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing within the borders of Benin, extending across the landscape to include Gambia. Furthermore, its natural habitat encompasses the country of Ghana. The species is also documented to exist within the territory of Guinea-Bissau. Finally, its geographical range reaches into the nation of Liberia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Millettia thonnigii is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its buds well above the ground level, typically manifesting as a woody tree or shrub. The species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal biological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Millettia thonnigii is characterized by its stature as a woody, self-supporting tree that grows in a terrestrial habitat. This plant displays a significant vertical presence, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of approximately 9.14 m to a maximum of about 12.19 m, maintaining an average height of around 15 m. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial growth form. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature and its ability to remain self-supporting without the need for climbing mechanisms like vines or lianas.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12.19214826 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Plant height min:

9.144111192 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Millettia thonnigii is characterized by a specific metabolic framework and nutrient acquisition strategy. This species utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism where carbon fixation occurs via the Calvin cycle through the initial carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO. In terms of nutrient cycling and soil enrichment, the plant functions as a nitrogen fixer, possessing the biological capability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, thereby enhancing the nitrogen availability within its immediate ecosystem.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Millettia thonningsii is driven by biotic mechanisms, specifically utilizing animal vectors to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The plant exhibits a pollination syndrome characterized by biotic interactions, relying on living organisms rather than abiotic factors like wind or water to ensure successful fertilization. Within this reproductive strategy, the species is primarily serviced by insects, which play a critical role in the movement of genetic material between flowers. Specifically, bees are identified as key pollinators, acting as the primary agents in the pollination process to promote successful seed production.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Millettia thonningii has 2 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed, leaf.

Seed

1. Parasitology
2. Journal of helminthology
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. The Journal of parasitology
5. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Leaf

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Chemicals

Millettia thonningii has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Alpinumisoflavone.

Alpinumisoflavone

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Millettia thonningii has 3 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticonvulsant, Molluscicide, Sedative.

Anticonvulsant

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Molluscicide

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Sedative

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Conditions

Millettia thonningii has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include epilepsy, headaches, infection, insomnia.

Epilepsy

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Headaches

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Infection

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Insomnia

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Preparations

Millettia thonningii has 6 reported preparations identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include A chloroform extract, chloroform extract of the seeds, dichloromethane extract, dichloromethane extract of the seeds, extract.

A chloroform extract

1. Parasitology

Chloroform extract of the seeds

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Dichloromethane extract

1. The Journal of parasitology

Dichloromethane extract of the seeds

1. Journal of helminthology

Extract

1. Parasitology

Extracts

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM