Bambara groundnut

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Bambara groundnut
• bambarra-groundnut
• Bambara Groundnut
• Bambara-bean
• Congo goober
• Ground-bean
• Hog-peanut
• Bambara nut
• bambarra groundnut

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cryptolobus subterraneus
• Cryptolobus africanus
• Arachidna trifolia
• Glycine subterranea
• Geolobus flavus
• Tetrodea subterranea
• Vigna subterranea var. spontanea
• Voandzeia subterranea
• Voandzeia subterranea f. spontanea
• Voandzeia subterranea var. spontanea

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. Finally, it is identified by the genus Vigna, specifically as the species Vigna subterranea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Vigna subterranea, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several West Tropical African nations. Within this region, it can be found growing in the country of Benin. Its presence is also documented throughout Burkina Faso. Furthermore, the species is distributed within the borders of Gambia. Finally, its range extends into Guinea-Bissau, completing its regional footprint in West Tropical Africa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Vigna subterranea is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its biological structure and survival strategy, it is classified as a therophyte, a life form defined by its tendency to survive unfavorable conditions as ephemeral seeds rather than through persistent vegetative organs. This therophytic nature allows the plant to rapidly colonize available niches during favorable environmental periods before completing its reproductive cycle.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Vigna subterranea is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. It is a terrestrial plant that does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte. The plant grows as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic lifestyle, and exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit. This climbing nature allows it to function without being an obligatory liana, maintaining a structure that is both facultative and self-supporting in its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vigna subterranea is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutritional strategies, most notably its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway for carbon fixation. As a C3 plant, it relies on the enzyme RuBisCO to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide during the Calvin cycle, which dictates its efficiency and water-use patterns in varying environmental conditions. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a significant capacity for biological nitrogen fixation, as indicated by its status as a nitrogen fixer. This process is facilitated through a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria within root nodules, allowing the plant to convert atmospheric nitrogen into plant-available forms, thereby enhancing its nutrient autonomy and contributing to soil fertility.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vigna subterranea is characterized by its ability to undergo self-fertilization, a trait that ensures reproductive success through internal pollination mechanisms. The production of seeds is a critical aspect of its life cycle, with individual seed mass exhibiting specific variability. On average, the seed mass is 0.585 g, though individual seeds can range from a minimum of 0.5 g to a maximum of 0.67 g. This variation in seed size contributes to the plant's reproductive strategy and its ability to propagate within its ecological niche.

Seed mass max:

0.67 g

Seed mass mean:

0.585 g

Seed mass min:

0.5 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Vigna subterranea 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. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Chemicals

Vigna subterranea has 36 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CALCIUM, FAT, IRON, PHOSPHORUS, Flavonoids.

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
3. International journal of food sciences and nutrition

FAT

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

IRON

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
3. International journal of food sciences and nutrition

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
3. International journal of food sciences and nutrition

Flavonoids

1. Heliyon
2. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Tannin

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
2. Tropical and geographical medicine

ALUMINUM

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Anthocyanins

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CINNAMIC ACID

1. Heliyon

Activities

Vigna subterranea has 206 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Abortifacient, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic.

Antimicrobial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Heliyon

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Heliyon

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiLyme

1. Dr. Duke