Vogel tephrosia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Vogel tephrosia
• fish-poison-bean
• Fish-Poison Pea
• Vogel's Tephrosia
• Fish-poison bean

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cracca vogelii
• Tephrosia inebrians
• Tephrosia megalantha
• Tephrosia periculosa

Regional and Traditional Names

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. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Tephrosia, which includes the species Tephrosia vogelii.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Tephrosia vogelii, exhibits a specific geographical range within the West Tropical Africa region. Its distribution begins in the coastal and inland areas of Guinea-Bissau. Moving further east, the species can also be found throughout the territory of Guinea. The plant's presence extends into the nation of Ivory Coast as well. Finally, its documented habitat includes parts of Ghana and Benin.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tephrosia vogelii is characterized by its adaptation to specific altitudinal gradients and human-altered landscapes. This species occupies an elevational range spanning from 1200 m to 2600 m AMSL, demonstrating a capacity to thrive in diverse montane environments. Furthermore, its distribution is notably associated with Área Antrópica (anthropic areas), indicating that it frequently colonizes habitats modified by human activity, such as disturbed soils or agricultural margins, within its established altitudinal limits.

Elevational range max:

2600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1200 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Tephrosia vogelii is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. In terms of its structural development and ecological positioning, the species exhibits a complex life form profile, manifesting as both a phanerophyte, which suggests the presence of visible, elevated stems, and a nanophanerophyte, indicating a growth habit where the woody parts are kept very close to the ground. This combination of traits allows the plant to maintain a stable presence within its habitat while adapting its height and structural complexity to environmental conditions.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tephrosia vogelii is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically presenting as a shrub. It is a terrestrial plant that grows independently, lacking parasitic tendencies. In terms of its structural stature, the plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a liana or vine. It reaches a height ranging from a minimum of approximately 1.83 meters to a maximum of about 3.05 meters, with an average plant height of 2.5 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3.048037064 m

Plant height mean:

2.5 m

Plant height min:

1.828822238 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tephrosia vogelii is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide during carbon assimilation. Furthermore, the plant functions as a nitrogen fixer, establishing a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, which enhances its nutrient uptake and growth efficiency in nitrogen-poor soils.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Tephrosia vogelii is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by insects, with bees playing a specific and significant role in the transfer of pollen. The plant is capable of self-fertilization, ensuring reproductive success under various environmental conditions. Following fertilization, the dispersal syndrome is classified as autochorous, meaning the plant utilizes an autochorous mechanism to distribute its seeds. The seeds produced exhibit a specific mass profile, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.0413 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.013 g to a maximum of 0.05175 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.05175 g

Seed mass mean:

0.041323333 g

Seed mass min:

0.013 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Tephrosia vogelii 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. Acta tropica

Chemicals

Tephrosia vogelii has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Tephrosin, Cadinol, Deguelin, Dehydrodeguelin, FAT.

Tephrosin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Cadinol

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Deguelin

1. Dr. Duke

Dehydrodeguelin

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Maackiain

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Obovatin

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

STIGMASTEROL

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Vogeletin

1. Dr. Duke

Vogeloside

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Tephrosia vogelii has 18 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Acaricide, Antibacterial, Antifeedant, Antioxidant, Antitumor.

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antioxidant

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke

Bruchicide

1. Dr. Duke

Bruchidoside

1. Dr. Duke

Convulsant

1. Dr. Duke

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke

Ectoparasiticide

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Tephrosia vogelii has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diarrhea, hypertension.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations