Jumby Bean

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Jumby Bean
• Least Snout Bean
• burn-mouth-vine
• jumby-bean
• least snout-bean
• Burn Mouth Vine

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dolicholus minimus
• Dolichos minimus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Further taxonomic placement includes its position in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales. Finally, it is a member of the family Fabaceae and is identified by the genus Rhynchosia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions. In Northern Africa, it can be found across the territories of Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco. Its presence extends to the Macaronesian islands, specifically within Cape Verde. Additionally, the species is located in West Tropical Africa, notably in Benin. Together, these locations highlight the plant's ability to inhabit varied environments across the African continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rhynchosia minima is characterized by its remarkable adaptability across a diverse array of ecosystems and a broad altitudinal gradient. This species inhabits a wide range of environments, ranging from anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) to highly specialized natural biomes including the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), and Restinga. Its presence is also noted in various forest types, such as seasonal deciduous forests (Floresta Estacional Decidual), riparian or gallery forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria), and ombrophilous/rainforests (Floresta Ombrófila), as well as in floodplain grasslands (Campo de Várzea). Spatially, the plant demonstrates significant topographical flexibility, occurring at elevations starting from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum height of 2440 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2440 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo de Várzea, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Genetics

The genetics of Rhynchosia minima are characterized by a specific chromosomal configuration that defines its reproductive and cellular stability. The species possesses a chromosome number of 22, which serves as a fundamental cytogenetic marker for the taxon. Furthermore, its genetic makeup is defined by a diploid ploidy level of 2, indicating that the organism maintains two complete sets of chromosomes within its somatic cells.

Chromosome number :

22

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Rhynchosia minima is characterized by a variable lifecycle that can manifest as an annual, biennial, or perennial plant, allowing it to adapt to diverse environmental conditions. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategy, the species is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the majority of the vegetation is located close to the soil surface, often with buds situated just above the ground level. This chamaphyte habit enables the plant to endure different seasonal shifts while maintaining its reproductive potential throughout its varying developmental stages.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rhynchosia minima is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This plant functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, as it maintains a strictly terrestrial existence. Regarding its structural habit, it is classified as an obligatory vine, exhibiting a prostrate shoot orientation. The plant's physical stature is variable, with a minimum height of 0 m and a maximum potential reach of 3 m, though it maintains a mean plant height of approximately 0.65 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

0.65 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Shoot orientation :

prostrate

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rhynchosia minima is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency under typical environmental conditions. The vegetative structure displays significant morphological variability in its foliage, with leaf dimensions ranging from a minimum length of 0.8 cm to a maximum length of 6 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 0.8 cm and a maximum of 5 cm, reflecting a dynamic leaf morphology that supports its overall physiological functions and resource acquisition strategies.

Leaf length max:

6 cm

Leaf length min:

0.8 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.8 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rhynchosia minima is characterized by a specific flowering period that typically commences in March and concludes in April. During this stage, the plant produces brown-colored flowers arranged in inflorescences that vary in length from a minimum of 0.02 m to a maximum of 0.15 m. Following pollination, the plant develops dry, pod-type fruits that are dehiscient in nature. These pods exhibit dimensions ranging from 0.6 cm to 3.5 cm in length and 0.3 cm to 0.5 cm in width. Each fruit contains a relatively small number of seeds, specifically between 1 and 10 seeds per pod. The seeds themselves are small, with a length of 2.5 mm to 3 mm and a width of 2 mm to 2.5 mm, resulting in a seed volume of approximately 9.5 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds are lightweight, with a mean mass of 0.0100239 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00547 g to a maximum of 0.02005 g. The dispersal of these seeds is achieved through an autochorous (autochorous) syndrome, meaning the plant relies on its own mechanisms to disperse its progeny.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flower colour :

brown

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

3.5 cm

Fruit length min:

0.6 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

0.5 cm

Fruit width min:

0.3 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.15 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.02 m

Seed length max:

3 mm

Seed length min:

2.5 mm

Seed mass max:

0.02005 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0100239 g

Seed mass min:

0.00547 g

Seed volume max:

9.5 mm³

Seed width max:

2.5 mm

Seed width min:

2 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

1-10

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Rhynchosia minima 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 root.

Root

1. Carbohydrate polymers

Chemicals

Rhynchosia minima has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 6-C-Glucosyl-8-C-xylosylapigenin, 6-C-Glucosylapigenin, Ash, CALCIUM, Epigallocatechin.

6-C-Glucosyl-8-C-xylosylapigenin

1. Dr. Duke

6-C-Glucosylapigenin

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

Epigallocatechin

1. Scientifica

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Gallic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Hydroquinone diacetate

1. Dr. Duke

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke

Prodelphinidin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Rhynchosia minima has 168 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include ACE-Inhibitor, Abortifacient, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Alpha-Glucosidase-Inhibitor.

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Glucosidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

AntiLegionella

1. Dr. Duke