African Locust Bean

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Parkia filicoidea var. hildebrandtii
• Parkia bussei
• Parkia hildebrandtii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified under the order Fabales and is a member of the Fabaceae family. Taxonomically, it is identified by the genus Parkia, specifically as the species Parkia filicoidea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Parkia filicoidea, is primarily found within the West Tropical Africa region. Its specific distribution spans across several key countries including Benin and Ghana. Furthermore, it can be located within the territories of Ivory Coast and Nigeria. The species also makes its presence known in Togo, completing its regional range. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's presence throughout this particular part of the African continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Parkia filicoidea is defined by its preference for high-moisture environments, specifically thriving within moist lowland evergreen forests or swamp forests. In these stable, humid ecosystems, the species occupies niches characterized by consistent water availability and high levels of organic matter in the soil. The presence of swamp forests suggests an adaptation to periodically saturated or waterlogged substrates, where the plant must navigate specific hydrological cycles and nutrient-poor, acidic soil conditions typical of lowland wetlands. Its placement within evergreen forest structures indicates a reliance on a closed canopy environment that maintains high atmospheric humidity and buffered temperature ranges, providing the necessary ecological stability for its growth and reproductive cycles.

Habitat :

moist lowland evergreen forest or swamp forest

Life history

The life history of Parkia filicoidea is characterized by its long-term survival strategy as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. As a member of the phanerophyte life forms, specifically classified under both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte categories, its reproductive shoots and essential biomass are elevated well above the ground level, typically supported by a woody structure. This growth habit enables the plant to dominate its vertical niche, utilizing its sustained perennial lifecycle to establish a stable presence within its habitat.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Parkia filicoidea is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree. It is a self-supporting organism, functioning independently without parasitic or epiphytic dependencies, and is classified as a terrestrial species rather than an aquatic or semiaquatic one. This tree exhibits significant vertical development, reaching an average height of approximately 27.5 m, with maximum recorded heights extending up to 30.48 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30.48037064 m

Plant height mean:

27.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Parkia filicoidea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide into organic compounds. As a member of the Fabaceae family, this species functions as a nitrogen fixer, maintaining a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria within its root nodules to convert atmospheric nitrogen into biologically available forms. This nitrogen-fixing capability enhances its nutrient uptake efficiency and supports its growth in various soil environments.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Parkia filicoidea is characterized by a specific phenological cycle and a reliance on biological agents for successful fertilization. The flowering period for this species is relatively concentrated, typically beginning in February and concluding in March. Throughout this reproductive phase, the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, meaning it relies on living organisms rather than abiotic factors like wind or water to facilitate pollen transfer. Specifically, the pollination process is driven by bats, which act as the primary pollinators for the species.

Flowering time :

Feb

Flowering time :

Mar

Pollination syndrome :

bat

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Parkia filicoidea has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Tannin, Trypsin inhibitor.

Tannin

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Trypsin inhibitor

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Conditions

Parkia filicoidea has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include conjunctivitis, cough, diarrhea, hypertension, wounds.

Conjunctivitis

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Cough

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Diarrhea

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Hypertension

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Wounds

1. International journal of molecular sciences