tropical kudzu

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• tropical kudzu
• wild kudzu vine

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dolichos phaseoloides
• Pueraria phaseoloides

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically categorized under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is a member of the Fabaceae family. Finally, it is classified under the genus Neustanthus, with its specific species name being phaseoloides.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Neustanthus phaseoloide, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing within the borders of Benin. Additionally, its presence is documented in the nation of Ghana. The species also inhabits various areas throughout Guinea and the Ivory Coast. Finally, its geographical range extends into Liberia, completing its regional coverage.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Neustanthus phaseoloides is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to inhabit diverse landscapes ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 1800 m AMSL. Its environmental presence is notably marked by its ability to thrive in anthropized areas (Área Antrópica), indicating a high degree of adaptability to habitats modified or influenced by human activity. This wide elevational tolerance and capacity for colonization in human-disturbed environments suggest a resilient ecological profile capable of persisting across varied topographical and anthropogenic gradients.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Neustanthus phaseoloideus is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the permanent shoots are located close to the ground, typically staying just above the soil surface. This chamaphyte designation indicates its ability to survive seasonal changes by maintaining its regenerative buds at a low level, which provides a specific adaptation to its environmental niche.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Neustanthus phaseoloides is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form, specifically classified as a forb. It functions as an obligatory climber, taking the form of a vine to ascend its environment. The plant reaches an average height of approximately 3 m and maintains a terrestrial habit, as it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte. Furthermore, it exists as an independent organism, showing no parasitic tendencies.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Neustanthus phaseoloides is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide during the light-independent reactions. Furthermore, the plant functions as a nitrogen fixer, possessing the biological capacity to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms through symbiotic associations, which enhances its nutrient acquisition and growth efficiency in various soil environments.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Neustanthus phaseoloides is characterized by a specific phenological cycle and highly uniform seed production. The flowering period for this species is notably concentrated, with the flowering start and flowering end both occurring in April, although the timing can be variable across different environmental contexts. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds that exhibit remarkable consistency in size. The seed mass follows a very narrow range, with a minimum mass of 0.0125 g and a maximum mass of 0.0132 g, resulting in a calculated mean seed mass of approximately 0.0128275 g. This precision in seed dimensions suggests a stabilized reproductive strategy within its ecological niche.

Flowering time :

Apr

Seed mass max:

0.0132 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0128275 g

Seed mass min:

0.0125 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Neustanthus phaseoloides 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, root.

Leaf

1. Shi yan sheng wu xue bao

Root

1. Plant cell reports

Chemicals

Neustanthus phaseoloides has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Puerarin, agropine, daidzein, genistein, hydroxygenistein.

Puerarin

1. Shi yan sheng wu xue bao
2. Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology
3. Plant cell reports

agropine

1. Plant cell reports

daidzein

1. Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology

genistein

1. Dr. Duke

hydroxygenistein

1. Dr. Duke

mannopine

1. Plant cell reports

Activities

Neustanthus phaseoloides has 75 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Abortifacient, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Antiaggregant, Antiangiogenic.

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Antiaggregant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiangiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiatherosclerotic

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer (Breast)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic (Breast)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticlimacteric

1. Dr. Duke

Antiendoccytotic

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations