White Hoary Pea

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• white hoary-pea
• white tephrosia
• white hoarypea

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Robinia candida
• Xiphocarpus candidus
• Cracca candida
• Lonchocarpus fruticosus
• Kiesera sericea
• Kiesera candida
• Xiphocarpus martinicensis
• Cracca candida var. heterophylla
• Cracca candida var. obtusifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

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 situated in the family Fabaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Tephrosia, with the species being Tephrosia candida.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse distribution across several key regions in the African continent. Within West Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in both Ghana and Sierra Leone. Its range extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it is present in Cameroon and the Gulf of Guinea Islands. Additionally, the species is documented within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These locations highlight its presence across both West and West-Central tropical zones.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tephrosia candida is characterized by its occurrence within diverse environmental settings, ranging from anthropized areas (Área Antrópica) to the more complex ecosystems of Ombrophilous Forests (Floresta Ombrófila), also known as Rain Forests. This species is specifically adapted to higher altitude environments, maintaining a specialized elevational range that begins at 1,000 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 1,200 m AMSL. Within this niche, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1,050 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for the cool, moist conditions typically associated with these mid-to-high altitude forest and disturbed land habitats.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1050 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1000 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Tephrosia candida is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons. It exhibits a complex growth strategy categorized under multiple life forms, functioning as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, which indicates its ability to maintain visible shoot systems at varying heights depending on environmental conditions. Additionally, the plant follows a deciduous growth pattern, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal physiological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tephrosia candida is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub. It functions as a self-supporting plant, exhibiting neither climbing nor parasitic tendencies, as it grows independently of other vegetation. As a terrestrial species, it is not aquatic or epiphytic. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a mean height of approximately 3 meters, with a maximum potential height of up to 3.5 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3.5 m

Plant height mean:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tephrosia candida is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency under standard environmental conditions. A defining physiological feature of this species is its capability as a nitrogen fixer; it maintains a symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, typically located within root nodules, to convert atmospheric nitrogen into biologically available forms. This nitrogen-fixing ability enhances its nutrient acquisition strategies and supports its growth in nitrogen-limited soils.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Tephrosia candida is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying primarily on insect vectors to facilitate the transfer of pollen between flowers. This biological mechanism ensures genetic exchange through animal interaction rather than abiotic factors like wind or water. The resulting seeds exhibit specific morphological variations in mass; the average seed mass is approximately 0.020466667 g, with individual seeds ranging from a minimum of 0.0157 g to a maximum of 0.0253 g. This variation in seed size suggests a degree of plasticity in reproductive output, which may influence seedling establishment and dispersal success within its habitat.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.0253 g

Seed mass mean:

0.020466667 g

Seed mass min:

0.0157 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Tephrosia candida has 20 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BORON, CANDIDIN, CAO, COPPER, Candidachalcone.

BORON

1. Dr. Duke

CANDIDIN

1. Dr. Duke

CAO

1. Dr. Duke

COPPER

1. Dr. Duke

Candidachalcone

1. Journal of natural products

Dehydrorotenone

1. Dr. Duke

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

K2O

1. Dr. Duke

MANGANESE

1. Dr. Duke

MGO

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Tephrosia candida has 112 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include ACE-Inhibitor, Acaricide, Analgesic, Androgenic, AntiBPH.

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiBPH

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCrohn's

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

AntiPMS

1. Dr. Duke

Antiacne

1. Dr. Duke

Antiacrodermatitic

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations