soap-pod

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• soap-pod
• Soap-pod Tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Acacia concinna
• Mimosa abstergens
• Acacia quisumbingii
• Acacia rugata
• Mimosa rugata
• Mimosa sinuata
• Acacia hooperiana
• Acacia hooperiana var. glabriuscula
• Acacia hooperiana var. subcuneata
• Acacia philippinarum
• Acacia poilanei
• Acacia saponaria
• Acacia gamblei
• Acacia concinna var. rugata
• Acacia abstergens
• Acacia rugata var. concinna

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. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is further categorized into the family Fabaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Senegalia, where it is known as Senegalia rugata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning across several distinct regions. In the Western Indian Ocean, it can be found growing in Mauritius and Madagascar. It is also documented within the island territories of Réunion and the Seychelles. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the Asian continent. Specifically, it is located within the China South-Central region of China.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Senegalia rugata is characterized by a very specific altitudinal niche, as it is found exclusively at an elevation of 300 m AMSL. This narrow elevational range suggests that the species is highly specialized to particular topographic and environmental conditions found at this precise height above mean sea level. Such limited vertical distribution typically implies a dependency on specific microclimatic factors, soil compositions, or moisture regimes that are unique to this altitude, making the plant sensitive to topographical variations within its habitat.

Elevational range max:

300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Senegalia rugata is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived woody species, it establishes a stable presence within its ecosystem, often forming part of the denser vegetation or scrublands. Its developmental cycle involves an initial establishment phase followed by sustained vegetative growth, which supports the eventual production of reproductive structures. Because it follows a perennial lifecycle, the plant can endure seasonal fluctuations, maintaining its physiological functions and structural integrity over several years, which facilitates continuous or episodic flowering and seed production cycles.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Senegalia rugata is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a shrub. This plant is a self-supporting species, meaning it does not function as an obligatory climber, liana, or vine, but rather maintains its own structure. It is a terrestrial plant, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, and it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, remaining firmly grounded in its habitat. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite. In terms of scale, the plant can reach a mean height of approximately 10 meters, contributing to its robust, woody stature.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Senegalia rugata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide during the light-independent reactions. Furthermore, the plant exhibits specialized metabolic capabilities as a nitrogen fixer, allowing it to engage in symbiotic relationships that facilitate the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, thereby enhancing its nutrient uptake and growth in nitrogen-limited environments.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Senegalia rugata 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 fruit.

Fruit

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Senegalia rugata has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CALCIUM, Flavonoids, IL 10, KINMOONOSIDE B, Kinmoonoside A.

CALCIUM

1. Journal of advanced pharmaceutical technology & research

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

IL 10

1. Heliyon

KINMOONOSIDE B

1. Journal of natural products

Kinmoonoside A

1. Journal of natural products

Kinmoonoside C

1. Journal of natural products

Phenols

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

TNF alpha

1. Heliyon

TOCOPHEROL

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

linoleic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Senegalia rugata has 7 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Antihyperlipidemic, Antimicrobial.

Anticancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of advanced pharmaceutical technology & research

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of advanced pharmaceutical technology & research

Antidiabetic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antihyperlipidemic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimicrobial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of natural products

Repellent

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Preparations

Senegalia rugata has 7 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include AC extract, ethanolic extract, ethyl acetate extract, herbal extracts, hexane-extracted oils of ripe seeds.

Ac extract

1. Nutrients

Ethanolic extract

1. Journal of advanced pharmaceutical technology & research

Ethyl acetate extract

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Herbal extracts

1. Asian Pacific journal of allergy and immunology

Hexane-extracted oils of ripe seeds

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Methanol extract

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Methanolic extract

1. Journal of natural products