marama-bean

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• marama-bean
• olomapa
• sprawling-bauhinia
• Creeping Bauhinia
• Ombasa
• Sprawling Bauhinia
• Tamani Berry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Bauhinia fassoglensis
• Bauhinia bequaertii
• Bauhinia welwitschii
• Bauhinia cissoides
• Bauhinia fassoglensis f. cissoides
• Bauhinia bequaertii var. hockii
• Bauhinia kirkii

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. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Tylosema.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found specifically within the borders of Nigeria. Moving into West-Central Tropical Africa, the species is documented in Burundi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Furthermore, its range extends to the Northeast Tropical Africa region, where it is present in Ethiopia. Collectively, these locations highlight the diverse ecological zones inhabited by the species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tylosema fassoglense is characterized by its adaptability to diverse altitudinal gradients, allowing it to occupy a wide range of topographical niches. The species is distributed across a significant vertical span, thriving in environments ranging from low-lying areas at an elevation of 150 m AMSL to higher montane or sub-montane zones reaching a maximum of 1850 m AMSL. This broad elevational range suggests that the plant can tolerate varying climatic conditions, including fluctuations in temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure associated with different altitudes. Such ecological plasticity enables the species to persist in a variety of habitats within its geographic distribution, from lowland plains to mid-elevation slopes.

Elevational range max:

1850 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

150 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Tylosema fascolegnse is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it avoids the complete senescence seen in annuals, instead establishing a robust presence that enables it to endure fluctuating seasonal conditions and recover after periods of dormancy. This long-term survival strategy is fundamental to its ecological role and its ability to maintain consistent medicinal properties within its tissues over time.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tylosema fassoglense is characterized by a shrubby growth form that can manifest as a non-woody plant. It functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite and is a terrestrial species, not classified as an epiphyte or an aquatic plant. The plant exhibits climbing behavior, specifically acting as a vine that is an obligatory climber. In terms of its stature, it reaches a minimum height of 1 meter, with a mean plant height of approximately 3 meters, and can reach a maximum height of up to 6 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Plant height mean:

3 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tylosma fasciuginea is characterized by specialized metabolic processes that support its growth in diverse tropical environments, though it lacks the specific symbiotic mechanisms required for atmospheric nitrogen assimilation. Unlike many leguminous species, this plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it does not possess the ability to form root nodules with Rhizobium bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms for its development. Consequently, its physiological reliance on soil nutrient availability is high, requiring the uptake of nitrates and ammonium directly from the rhizosphere through active transport mechanisms in the root system. Its metabolic pathways are optimized for secondary metabolite production, which serves as a defense mechanism, while its photosynthetic efficiency and nutrient cycling are strictly dependent on the exogenous nitrogen levels present in the surrounding substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Tylosema fassoglense is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, indicating that its reproductive success relies on living organisms rather than abiotic factors. This process is primarily driven by insect pollination, which facilitates the transfer of pollen between flowers to ensure genetic diversity and fertilization. Within this insect-mediated framework, the plant specifically utilizes bees as key pollinators, highlighting a specialized ecological relationship that ensures efficient pollen movement and successful seed production.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Tylosema fassoglense has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID, SYRINGIC ACID.

4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

SYRINGIC ACID

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Conditions

Tylosema fassoglense has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include diarrhea, malaria.

Diarrhea

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Tylosema fassoglense has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include total plant extracts.

Total plant extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology