Sesbania rostrata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sesbania hirticalyx

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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 is organized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Sesbania.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Sesbania rostrata, exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented across several distinct countries, including Benin and Burkina Faso. Furthermore, the species can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Mali. The distribution also extends to the nation of Mauritania. Finally, its range encompasses the territory of Nigeria, marking its importance within these specific African zones.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sesbania rostrata is characterized by its adaptation to specific altitudinal zones, typically thriving within a specialized elevational range. This plant is most commonly found in environments situated between a minimum elevation of 900 m AMSL and a maximum elevation of 1100 m AMSL. Within this narrow vertical belt, the species occupies particular ecological niches that support its growth requirements, likely influenced by the unique temperature gradients and atmospheric conditions present at these mid-to-high altitudes. The distribution within this 200-meter altitudinal window suggests a high degree of specialization to the environmental pressures found at these specific heights above mean sea level.

Elevational range max:

1100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

900 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Sesbania rostrata is characterized by a versatile developmental strategy, functioning across a range of temporal scales as it can exhibit a lifecycle that is classified as annual, biennial, perennial, or variable depending on environmental conditions. In terms of its structural growth habit and ecological niche, the plant is identified as a helophyte, a life form adapted to wetland or marshy habitats where it thrives in seasonally inundated environments. Additionally, its biological classification as a therophyte reflects its ability to complete its life cycle through a specialized seed stage, ensuring survival and regeneration through period of unfavorable conditions.

Life form :

helophyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sesbania rostrata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial existence rather than being aquatic or semiaquatic. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a mean height of 2 m, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum of 1 m to a maximum height of 2.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2.5 m

Plant height mean:

2 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sesbania rostrata is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies. The plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle, a common mechanism in most temperate and tropical woody species. In addition to its carbon assimilation, Sesbania rostrata functions as an efficient nitrogen fixer; it maintains a symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, typically within root nodules, which allows the plant to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form. This dual physiological capacity for C3 photosynthesis and biological nitrogen fixation enables the species to thrive in nitrogen-limited environments and contribute to soil fertility.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sesbania rostrata is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Specifically, the plant utilizes insect-mediated pollination to ensure successful fertilization. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds characterized by a relatively consistent mass. The seed mass within a population varies slightly, with a minimum recorded value of 0.00911 g and a maximum of 0.01103 g. On average, the seeds have a mean mass of 0.01007 g, reflecting a specialized reproductive strategy suited to its ecological niche.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.01103 g

Seed mass mean:

0.01007 g

Seed mass min:

0.00911 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Sesbania rostrata has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, stem.

Root

1. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics

Stem

1. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics

Chemicals

Sesbania rostrata has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cytokinin, D-arabinose, NADH, naringenin, nitrate.

Cytokinin

1. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology

D-arabinose

1. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

NADH

1. Indian journal of experimental biology

naringenin

1. Journal of bacteriology

nitrate

1. Indian journal of experimental biology

nitrogenase

1. Indian journal of experimental biology

succinate

1. Indian journal of experimental biology