amritsar-gum

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• amritsar-gum
• black sally
• blackwood
• Phulahi

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Mimosa dumosa
• Acacia senegal subsp. modesta
• Acacia modesta

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. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Senegalia, with the species name modesta.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions of Asia. In Western Asia, it can be found growing within the borders of Afghanistan. The species is also well-established across the Indian Subcontinent, specifically in India and Pakistan. Furthermore, it is documented to inhabit the mountainous terrain of Nepal. Finally, its presence extends to the specific ecological zone of the West Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Senegalia modesta is characterized by its specific niche within montane and sub-montane environments, where it occupies a defined altitudinal gradient. This species is predominantly found within an elevational range that starts at a minimum of 600 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 1400 m AMSL. By thriving within this specific vertical span, the plant adapts to the varying temperature regimes and atmospheric pressures associated with these mid-elevation zones, playing a functional role in the structural complexity of its native habitat.

Elevational range max:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Senegalia modesta is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting life forms such as nanophanerophyte and chamaephyte depending on its developmental stage and environmental stressors. As a woody species, its life cycle begins with seed germination, often triggered by seasonal moisture availability in its native arid or semi-arid habitats. It progresses through a vegetative growth phase where it establishes a robust structural framework, utilizing its perennial nature to endure fluctuating climatic conditions. The plant transitions into a reproductive phase marked by the production of flowers and subsequent seed development, ensuring the continuity of its population through dispersal mechanisms. Throughout its existence, its survival strategy relies on its ability to maintain its buds above the soil surface, a defining trait of its phanerophyte status, which allows it to withstand various levels of herbivory and seasonal environmental shifts.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Senegalia modesta is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which provides a robust and self-supporting structural framework. Unlike climbing plants or lianas, it is a self-supporting species that does not rely on other structures for elevation. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies, and maintains a strictly terrestrial existence rather than occupying aquatic or semiaquatic habitats. The plant's development is defined by its woody nature, establishing a perennial, arborescent habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Senegalia modesta is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. In this pathway, the first stable intermediate produced during carbon fixation is a three-carbon molecule, typically processed within the mesophyll cells through the Calvin cycle. This physiological mechanism implies that the plant relies on the enzyme Rubisco for atmospheric CO2 assimilation, making its metabolic rate sensitive to ambient temperatures and moisture availability. Consequently, its gas exchange and water-use efficiency are intrinsically linked to the environmental conditions of its habitat, as the C3 process requires open stomata for continuous CO2 uptake, which inherently involves transpiration.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Senegalia modesta is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit specific morphological metrics regarding their weight. The seed mass within this species displays a relatively tight distribution, with a calculated mean seed mass of 0.03176 g. Detailed analysis of individual seed weights reveals a range of variation, where the minimum recorded seed mass is 0.03012 g and the maximum recorded seed mass reaches 0.0334 g. These values indicate a high degree of uniformity in the reproductive output of the plant, ensuring consistent seed characteristics for dispersal and subsequent germination.

Seed mass max:

0.0334 g

Seed mass mean:

0.03176 g

Seed mass min:

0.03012 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Senegalia modesta 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. BMC plant biology

Chemicals

Senegalia modesta has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin, Flavonoids, Lupeol, oleic acid, squalene.

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

Flavonoids

1. BMC plant biology

Lupeol

1. Pharmaceutics

oleic acid

1. Pharmaceutics

squalene

1. Pharmaceutics

Activities

Senegalia modesta has 15 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, AntiHIV, Anticancer, Anticarcinomic, Antifeedant.

Antibacterial

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences
2. BMC plant biology

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antioxidant

1. BMC plant biology

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations