algarrobilla

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• algarrobilla
• baner
• kasunda

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Chamaefistula coromandelina
• Cassia linearis
• Cassia sophera var. ligustrinoides
• Cassia frutescens
• Cassia indica
• Cassia canca
• Cassia coromandeliana
• Cassia atroviridis
• Cassia torulosa
• Cassia torosa
• Cassia sophera subsp. purpurea
• Cassia socotrana
• Cassia sophera
• Cassia sophera var. penghuana
• Cassia sopheroides
• Cassia robinioides
• Cassia purpurea
• Cassia proboscidea
• Cassia sophera var. purpurea
• Cassia sophera var. torulosa
• Senna officinalis
• Senna lanceolata
• Senna purpurea
• Senna socotrana
• Senna sophera var. purpurea
• Chamaefistula chinensis
• Chamaefistula torosa
• Chamaefistula sophera
• Senna occidentalis var. sophera
• Ditremexa sophera
• Cassia occidentalis var. sophera
• Senna sophera var. penghuana
• Cassia aegyptiaca
• Cassia ruscifolia
• Cassia patula
• Senna esculenta
• Octelisia aurea

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, it is identified by its specific genus, Senna.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Senna sophia, is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Within this specific geographical range, it can be found growing in the country of Benin. Its natural habitat also extends into Ghana, where it is part of the local flora. Additionally, the species is documented to occur within the borders of Guinea. Finally, its presence is noted in both Ivory Coast and Liberia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Senna sophora is characterized by its adaptation to specific environmental niches within the Caatinga (stricto sensu) biome. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, thriving in environments ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 2130 m AMSL. Its presence within the strict Caatinga habitat indicates a high level of specialization to the semi-arid conditions, seasonal drought, and specific soil compositions typical of this unique Brazilian vegetation zone.

Elevational range max:

2130 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu)

Life history

The life history of Senna sophora is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, though its growth patterns can exhibit variable tendencies depending on environmental conditions. As a perennial plant, it maintains its biological functions over multiple growing seasons, allowing it to establish a robust presence within its natural habitat. This lifecycle enables the plant to undergo successive stages of vegetative development and reproductive cycles, contributing to its long-term survival and ability to persist in various ecological niches.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Senna sophara is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub. It functions as a self-supporting plant and is classified as an independent species, meaning it does not exhibit parasitic behavior. As a terrestrial organism, it does not possess epiphytic qualities, nor is it aquatic or semiaquatic in nature. The plant's stature is relatively modest, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of approximately 0.91 m to a maximum of about 1.52 m, maintaining a mean plant height of approximately 2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.524018532 m

Plant height mean:

2 m

Plant height min:

0.914411119 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Senna sophara is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production. The plant does not exhibit any form of succulence, maintaining standard leaf and stem water storage capacities rather than specialized fleshy tissues. Additionally, it functions as a nitrogen fixer, a vital physiological trait that allows it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, thereby enhancing its nutrient uptake and survival in diverse soil environments.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Senna sophora is characterized by specific seed morphology and complex dispersal mechanisms. The seeds produced by this species exhibit a highly consistent mass, with a measured minimum of 0.01272 g, a mean of 0.01301 g, and a maximum of 0.0133 g. Regarding the movement of these seeds away from the parent plant, the species utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, indicating that animals play a significant role in its reproductive cycle. More specifically, it exhibits endozoochorous dispersal, a process where seeds are ingested by animals and subsequently dispersed through their digestive tracts, facilitating the colonization of new habitats.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Seed mass max:

0.0133 g

Seed mass mean:

0.01301 g

Seed mass min:

0.01272 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Senna sophera has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Indole-3-butyric acid, Thiadiazuron, Torososide B, physcion-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1->3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside.

Flavonoids

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Indole-3-butyric acid

1. Physiology and molecular biology of plants : an international journal of functional plant biology

Thiadiazuron

1. Physiology and molecular biology of plants : an international journal of functional plant biology

Torososide B

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

physcion-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1->3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Activities

Senna sophera has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Pharmacognosy research

Preparations

Senna sophera has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Aqueous Extract of Cassia sophera (AECS), extracts.

Aqueous extract of cassia sophera (aecs)

1. Pharmacognosy research

Extracts

1. Medicinal chemistry (Shariqah (United Arab Emirates))