African yam-bean

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• African yam-bean
• yam-pea
• African yam bean
• African yam

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Vigna ornata var. latifoliolata
• Dolichos stenocarpus
• Vigna ornata
• Sphenostylis congensis
• Sphenostylis stenocarpa var. latifoliolata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is further categorized under the family Fabaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Sphenostylis, which includes the species Sphenostylis stenocarpa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the region of West Tropical Africa. Within this area, its presence has been documented in the country of Benin. It is also found extending through the territories of Burkina and Ghana. Furthermore, the species occupies parts of Guinea. Finally, its geographical range includes the coastal regions of the Ivory Coast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Sphenostylis stenocarpa is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. Structurally, the plant is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting the traits of a phanerophyte in its primary life form designation, which indicates that its perennating buds are located well above the ground level. This growth habit ensures its long-term survival and ability to regenerate within its ecological niche.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sphenostylis stenocarpa is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically functioning as an obligatory climber. As an independent plant that does not rely on a parasitic relationship, it thrives in terrestrial habitats rather than aquatic or epiphytic environments. The plant exhibits significant variability in its physical stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 3 meters, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 2.33 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

2.33333333333333 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sphenostylis stenocarpa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in varying environmental conditions. In addition to its specific photosynthetic mechanism, the plant functions as a nitrogen fixer, possessing the biological capability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, thereby enhancing its nutrient uptake and contributing to the nitrogen cycle within its ecosystem.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sphenostylis stenocarpa is characterized by specific dispersal mechanisms that facilitate the movement of its propagules. Regarding its dispersal syndrome, the plant exhibits an autochorous strategy, which is categorized within a broader ecological framework that includes anemochorous, zoochorous, autochorous, hydrochorous, and unspecialized modes of transport. Furthermore, its dispersal syndrome is specifically identified as autochorous, encompassing a diverse range of potential vectors such as anemochorous, anthropochorous, autochorous, endozoochorous, epizoochorous, hydrochorous, myrmecochorous, unspecialized, and zoochorous processes.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Sphenostylis stenocarpa 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 seed.

Seed

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Sphenostylis stenocarpa has 27 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, PHOSPHORUS, FAT, CA, CALCIUM.

Ash

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
3. International journal of food sciences and nutrition

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of food sciences and nutrition
3. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

FAT

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of food sciences and nutrition

CA

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

Calcium (Ca)

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

FE

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Iron (Fe)

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

MG

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

POTASSIUM

1. International journal of food sciences and nutrition

Activities

Sphenostylis stenocarpa has 69 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker, AntiLyme, AntiPMS, Antialcoholic.

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiLyme

1. Dr. Duke

AntiPMS

1. Dr. Duke

Antialcoholic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiallergic

1. Dr. Duke

Antialzheimeran

1. Dr. Duke

Antianorectic

1. Dr. Duke

Antianxiety

1. Dr. Duke

Antiarrhythmic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Sphenostylis stenocarpa has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include flatus.

Most Reported Uses