Sesbania bispinosa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range primarily concentrated within the Macaronesian and West Tropical African regions. In the Macaronesian archipelago, its distribution includes the island nation of Cape Verde. Moving into West Tropical Africa, the species can be found across several distinct territories. Specifically, it is documented in the countries of Burkina, Gambia, and Guinea. Additionally, its presence extends northward to include the coastal region of Mauritania.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sesbania bispinosa is characterized by its adaptability to diverse environments, commonly inhabiting locations such as paddocks, marshes, and roadsides. This species demonstrates a broad vertical distribution across various landscapes, thriving at elevations ranging from a minimum of 50 m AMSL to a maximum of 1350 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1350 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

50 m AMSL

Habitat :

paddocks, marshes, roadsides

Life history

The life history of Sesbania bispinosa is characterized by a variable lifecycle that can manifest as an annual, biennial, or perennial plant, depending on environmental conditions and habitat stability. In terms of its structural life form, the species is classified as a therophyte, a growth strategy where the plant completes its biological cycle through the production of seeds that persist during unfavorable seasons, allowing the individual to survive as a temporary organism. This therophytic nature, categorized under both life form classifications, indicates that the plant typically survives the non-growing season in an ephemeral state, relying on its seed bank to ensure regeneration and continuity in its ecological niche.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sesbania bispinosa is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form that functions as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or vine. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behavior, maintaining a terrestrial existence. The plant displays significant variability in stature, with its height ranging from a minimum of 1 m to a maximum of approximately 4.57 m, maintaining an average height of about 1.75 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4.572055596 m

Plant height mean:

1.75 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sesbania bispinosa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon assimilation process and metabolic efficiency under varying environmental conditions. Despite being a member of the Fabaceae family, which typically includes many symbiotic nitrogen-fixing species, this specific plant is characterized as a non-nitrogen fixer (no), meaning it does not engage in the biological nitrogen fixation process through symbiotic relationships with rhizobia. Consequently, its nutrient uptake and metabolic functions are heavily dependent on the availability of nitrogen within the soil medium rather than atmospheric fixation.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sesbania bispinosa is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by insects with a specific reliance on bees to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The plant possesses the capacity for self-fertilization, ensuring reproductive success under varying environmental conditions. Following successful fertilization, the seeds are produced with a relatively small mass; the individual seed mass typically ranges from a minimum of 0.00326 g to a maximum of 0.00992 g, with an average seed mass of approximately 0.007740833 g. Once mature, the dispersal of these seeds follows an unspecialized syndrome, suggesting that the plant utilizes a variety of non-specific methods to distribute its progeny within its habitat.

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.00992 g

Seed mass mean:

0.007740833 g

Seed mass min:

0.00326 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Sesbania bispinosa 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. Phytochemistry

Preparations

Sesbania bispinosa has 3 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Ethyl acetate leaf extract (EAL), hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves, hexane leaf extract (HL).

Ethyl acetate leaf extract (eal)

1. Phytochemistry

Hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves

1. Phytochemistry

Hexane leaf extract (hl)

1. Phytochemistry