flame acacia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• flame acacia
• Flame Thorn
• Flame Thorn Acacia
• Flamepod Acacia
• Flamepod Thorn

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Acacia lugardiae
• Acacia eriadenia
• Acacia afra var. rupestris
• Acacia ataxacantha
• Acacia ataxacantha var. australis

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. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Senegalia, specifically the species Senegalia ataxacantha.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Senegalia ataxacantha, is primarily distributed throughout the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented across several distinct nations within this tropical zone. Specifically, it can be found growing in the territories of Benin and Burkina Faso. The species also extends its reach into the coastal areas of Guinea and Ivory Coast. Additionally, its geographical range includes the country of Liberia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Senegalia ataxacantha is characterized by its adaptability to diverse topographical gradients, allowing it to thrive across a broad altitudinal spectrum. This species is distributed across varied landscapes, establishing itself in environments ranging from lowland areas to significant highland elevations. Specifically, its ecological niche spans an elevational range starting from a minimum of 150 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 1980 m AMSL. This wide vertical distribution suggests a high degree of environmental tolerance, enabling the plant to colonize different climatic zones and soil types found within these varying altitudes.

Elevational range max:

1980 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

150 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Senegalia ataxacantha is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its perennuating buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that defines its life form. This phanerophyte classification is consistent across its developmental stages, ensuring that the plant maintains a robust, elevated growth habit throughout its long-term existence in its natural habitat.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Senegalia ataxacanthia is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub. As a terrestrial species, it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is classified as an obligatory climber, though it possesses the capacity to be self-supporting. Its physical stature is substantial, with a plant height that varies significantly depending on environmental conditions; it typically ranges from a minimum of 3 meters to a maximum of 15 meters, maintaining an average height of approximately 10 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Senegalia ataxacantha is characterized by a metabolic framework utilizing the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle. This pathway is typical for many woody species in its genus, allowing for efficient gas exchange under moderate environmental conditions. Furthermore, the plant exhibits specialized symbiotic capabilities as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it possesses the physiological mechanism to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, likely through a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria within its root systems. This dual capacity for C3 carbon assimilation and nitrogen fixation allows the species to maintain nutritional homeostasis and support growth even in nitrogen-limited soil environments.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Senegalia ataxacantha is characterized by specific seed morphological traits that define its reproductive output. The seeds produced by this species exhibit a consistent seed volume, with both the maximum and minimum recorded values, as well as the mean volume, held steady at 93 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds demonstrate a degree of variability; the individual seed mass ranges from a minimum of 0.04086 g to a maximum of 0.156 g, resulting in an overall average seed mass of 0.0872125 g.

Seed mass max:

0.156 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0872125 g

Seed mass min:

0.04086 g

Seed volume max:

93 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Senegalia ataxacantha has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoid, Lupeol, betulinic acid.

Flavonoid

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Lupeol

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

betulinic acid

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Activities

Senegalia ataxacantha has 5 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiproliferative.

Antimicrobial

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antioxidant

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antibacterial

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antifungal

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antiproliferative

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Preparations

Senegalia ataxacantha has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include bark of A.ataxacantha.

Bark of a.ataxacantha

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine