gemsbok-bean

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• gemsbok-bean
• marama-bean
• Gemsbok Bean
• Marama Bean

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Bauhinia esculenta
• Bauhinia burkeana
• Phanera burkeana
• Bauhinia bainesii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Tylosema esculentum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. It is specifically classified under the genus Tylosema.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence throughout various regions of the African continent. In South Tropical Africa, its distribution includes the nations of Angola and Zimbabwe. Moving into Southern Africa, it can be found across the landscape of Botswana. The species also inhabits the Cape Provinces within the southern reaches of the continent. Additionally, its range extends into the arid environments of Namibia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tylosema esculentum is characterized by its specific distribution within montane and sub-montane landscapes, where it occupies a distinct vertical niche. The species is found within a defined elevational range, typically occurring at altitudes starting from a minimum of 925 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 1600 m AMSL. This altitudinal stratification suggests that the plant is adapted to the specific microclimates, temperature gradients, and atmospheric pressures found within these mid-to-high elevation zones, which likely dictate its growth patterns and reproductive success.

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

925 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Tylosema esculentum is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it does not complete its entire biological cycle within a single year, but rather maintains its presence in the ecosystem over a prolonged period. This lifecycle enables the plant to establish robust root systems and accumulate resources that support continuous growth and repeated reproductive efforts across successive years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tylosema esculentum is characterized by a versatile growth form that can manifest as either a herb or a shrub, exhibiting a variable degree of woodiness. As a terrestrial plant, it does not function as an epiphyte or an aquatic species, and it maintains an independent lifestyle rather than acting as a parasite. The plant displays a diverse range of physical dimensions and structural habits; it can grow as a self-supporting species or function as a vine. Its height is notably dynamic, ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a mean of 1.79 meters, with some specimens reaching a maximum height of up to 9 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

9 m

Plant height mean:

1 m

Plant height min:

1.79 m

Woodiness :

variable

Physiology

The physiology of Tylosema esculentum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency under varying environmental conditions. In terms of its nutrient acquisition capabilities, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic mechanisms required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms and must rely on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds directly from the soil.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Tylosema esculentum is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit a highly consistent physical profile. Based on empirical data, the seed mass is uniform across the observed samples, with a mean seed mass of 2.2824 g. This consistency is further reflected in the extreme values recorded, as both the maximum and minimum seed mass measurements are identical at 2.2824 g. Such lack of variance in seed mass suggests a stabilized reproductive output regarding the weight of individual seeds produced by the plant.

Seed mass mean:

2.2824 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Tylosema esculentum has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Behenic acid, Flavonoids, Griffonilide, Phytosterols, Fatty acids.

Behenic acid

1. Food & function
2. Recent patents on food, nutrition & agriculture
3. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Flavonoids

1. Food & function
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Griffonilide

1. Food & function
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Phytosterols

1. Food & function
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Fatty acids

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Phenolic acid

1. Recent patents on food, nutrition & agriculture

Polyphenol

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

STARCH

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Tannins

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

linoleic acid

1. Recent patents on food, nutrition & agriculture

Activities

Tylosema esculentum has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Protease-Inhibitor.

Protease-Inhibitor

1. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine (New York, N.Y.)

Medicinal Uses

Tylosema esculentum has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include non-communicable diseases, wound healing.

Most Reported Uses