Senegalia mellifera

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Acacia mellifera
• Acacia senegal subsp. mellifera
• Inga mellifera
• Mimosa mellifera

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Senegalia, of which Senegalia mellifera is a member.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of the African continent. In Northern Africa, its presence can be documented within the borders of Egypt. Moving into Northeast Tropical Africa, the species is found spanning multiple countries. Specifically, it grows in the territories of Chad, Djibouti, and Eritrea. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant extends through Ethiopia as well.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

Senegalia mellifera thrives within a variety of semi-arid landscapes, primarily establishing itself in dry Acacia-Commiphora bushlands where it often occurs as a dominant species, as well as in dry woodlands and wooded grasslands. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to varying topographical positions, occupying an elevational range that extends from as low as 200 m AMSL to a maximum of 1675 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1675 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Habitat :

dry Acacia-Commiphera bushland, often dominant, dry woodland, wooded grassland

Life history

The life history of Senegalia mellifera is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years. As a phanerophyte, its perennially growing buds are elevated above the ground, typically manifesting as a woody shrub or small tree. This plant exhibits a deciduous growth habit, shedding its foliage in response to seasonal changes or environmental stressors. Throughout its life cycle, its structural development is defined by its classification as a phanerophyte, ensuring its survival through various climatic shifts within its native habitat.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Senegalia mellifera is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a shrub or a tree. This terrestrial, independent species is self-supporting and does not function as a climber, epiphyte, or parasite. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variability in height, with individuals typically ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 15 meters, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 6.5 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

6.5 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Senegalia mellifera is characterized by specific metabolic and nutrient-acquisition strategies that facilitate its survival in arid environments. It utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle, a common mechanism among many woody shrubs and trees. Furthermore, the plant functions as a nitrogen fixer, possessing a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria located within its root nodules, allowing it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form to enhance soil fertility and support its own growth in nutrient-poor substrates.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Senegalia mellifera is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying heavily on living organisms to facilitate fertilization. Specifically, the plant utilizes insect-mediated pollination, with bees identified as a key functional group in the transfer of pollen. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces seeds with varying physical dimensions; the seed mass fluctuates within a specific range, with a minimum recorded mass of 0.05 g and a maximum of 0.08505 g. On average, the seeds possess a mean mass of approximately 0.0727316665 g, ensuring a consistent reproductive output for the species.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.08505 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0727316665 g

Seed mass min:

0.05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Senegalia mellifera has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem, leaf.

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Leaf

1. BioMed research international

Chemicals

Senegalia mellifera has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Saponins, Sterols, Tannins, betulinic acid.

Flavonoids

1. BioMed research international

Saponins

1. BioMed research international

Sterols

1. BioMed research international

Tannins

1. BioMed research international

betulinic acid

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Activities

Senegalia mellifera has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective.

Antibacterial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. BioMed research international

Hepatoprotective

1. BioMed research international

Preparations

Senegalia mellifera has 10 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Acacia mellifera stem barks, aqueous fraction, aqueous fractions, crude ethanolic-extract, ethyl acetate fraction.

Acacia mellifera stem barks

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous fraction

1. BioMed research international

Aqueous fractions

1. BioMed research international

Crude ethanolic-extract

1. BioMed research international

Ethyl acetate fraction

1. BioMed research international

Extracts from the stem bark of acacia mellifera

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methanolic and methanol:dichloromethane (1:1) extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

N-butanol fraction

1. BioMed research international

N-butanol partition

1. BioMed research international

Water extracts

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM