Albizia saman

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Raintree
• French-tamarind
• cow-tamarind
• monkeypod
• Rendi
• Monkey pod tree
• monkey-pod

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Zygia saman
• Pithecellobium saman
• Pithecellobium salutare
• Albizia saman
• Calliandra saman
• Enterolobium saman
• Feuilleea saman
• Pithecellobium saman var. acutifolium
• Acacia propinqua
• Mimosa pubifera
• Mimosa saman
• Albizia flavovirens
• Inga cinerea
• Inga salutaris
• Inga saman

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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. Its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Samanea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Samanea saman, exhibits a specific geographical presence across several regions in West Tropical Africa. Within this part of the continent, it can be found growing in the nation of Benin. Its distribution also extends to the coastal areas of Gambia and the diverse landscapes of Ghana. Furthermore, the species is documented to inhabit the territories of Nigeria. Finally, its range includes the country of Sierra Leone, completing its regional footprint.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Samanea saman is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, spanning from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1300 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to modified environments, frequently occurring within anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) where human activity and land use have shaped the landscape. Its distribution within these human-influenced habitats suggests a resilience to disturbed ecosystems, allowing it to establish itself effectively from 0 m AMSL through diverse lowland and sub-montane settings.

Elevational range max:

1300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Genetics

The genetics of Samanea saman are characterized by a stable karyotypic structure, featuring a diploid chromosome number of 26. This specific genetic configuration indicates a ploidy level of 2, meaning the organism maintains two complete sets of chromosomes within its cells. This chromosomal arrangement serves as a fundamental biological blueprint, influencing the plant's reproductive stability and its ability to pass on hereditary traits essential for its physiological development and medicinal properties.

Chromosome number :

26

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Samanea saman is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to establish a long-lived and robust presence within its ecosystem. Throughout its extended lifespan, the plant undergoes distinct seasonal transformations, exhibiting a deciduous growth habit where it sheds its foliage periodically. This cycle of leaf senescence and regrowth is a fundamental component of its biological rhythm, ensuring its adaptation to varying environmental conditions over many years.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Samanea saman is characterized by its robust growth form as a large, woody tree. It is a self-supporting, independent organism that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it exists as a terrestrial plant rather than an aquatic or epiphytic species. The tree displays significant verticality, with a mean height of approximately 25 m, though it can reach a maximum height of up to 40 m. As an independent species, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, maintaining a stable, self-supporting structure throughout its life cycle.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

40 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Samanea saman is characterized by a highly efficient metabolic and structural framework adapted to tropical environments. As a nitrogen fixer, the plant engages in a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria, allowing it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, which enhances soil fertility and supports its vigorous growth. Its photosynthetic process follows the C3 pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle for carbon fixation. Structurally, the leaves exhibit significant morphological variability, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 30 cm, while their width varies from as little as 0.7 cm to a maximum of 28 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not exhibit succulence, maintaining standard leaf tissue density rather than storing water in specialized fleshy tissues.

Leaf length max:

30 cm

Leaf length min:

1.5 cm

Leaf width max:

28 cm

Leaf width min:

0.7 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Samanea saman is driven by biotic pollination syndromes, primarily involving insects and specifically bees. The plant produces green flowers that range in width from 1.2 cm to 1.4 cm. Following successful pollination, the plant develops dry, dehiscent fruit in the form of a pod. These pods vary in size, with lengths ranging from 13 cm to a maximum of 20 cm and widths between 1.5 cm and 2.5 cm. The seeds contained within the pods are characterized by a mean mass of approximately 0.1708 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.1256 g to a maximum of 0.2364 g. Morphologically, the seeds possess a maximum length of 9 mm and a maximum width of 5 mm, resulting in a consistent seed volume of 560 mm³. Dispersal of the seeds is achieved through zoochorous and anthropochorous syndromes, facilitating the spread of the species.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower colour :

green

Flower width max:

1.4 cm

Flower width min:

1.2 cm

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

20 cm

Fruit length min:

13 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

2.5 cm

Fruit width min:

1.5 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

9 mm

Seed mass max:

0.2364 g

Seed mass mean:

0.1708421735 g

Seed mass min:

0.1256 g

Seed volume max:

560 mm³

Seed width max:

5 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Samanea saman 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 flower.

Flower

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Chemicals

Samanea saman has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cl-.

Cl-

1. The Journal of cell biology

Activities

Samanea saman has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antioxidant

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Preparations

Samanea saman has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts.

Extracts

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences