Adenodolichos paniculatus.
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Adenodolichos paniculatus Common Names: Fire bean Scientific
Classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Clade: Rosids Order: Fabales Family: Fabaceae Genus: Adenodolichos Species: A. paniculatus Synonyms: Dolichos
paniculatus Hua, Dolichos macrothyrsus Harms, Adenodolichos macrothyrsus
(Harms) Harms Morphological Description Adenodolichos
paniculatus is a perennial woody shrub or subshrub, growing 1.5–4.5 m tall,
with a sprawling or erect habit. Young stems are flattened, velvety, and
red-brown, becoming smooth and greyish as they mature. Key features include: · Leaves: Trifoliate, with 3–5 ovate leaflets (up to 17 cm long, 8 cm
wide), glabrous above, glabrous or pubescent beneath, with glandular lower
surfaces · Inflorescences: Axillary or terminal panicles (10–24 cm
long), bearing papilionaceous flowers with a pinkish keel and yellowish
standard · Fruit: Elliptic pods (3–4 cm long, 1–1.5 cm wide), containing 2–4
shiny, brown seeds · Roots: Deep, woody rootstock, enabling resprouting after fires The plant’s glandular
leaflets and vibrant flowers make it a distinctive species in its habitat,
often recognized by its fire-resistant regrowth (Burkill, 1985). Distribution and Habitat Adenodolichos
paniculatus is native to tropical Africa, spanning from Guinea and Senegal in
the west to South Sudan and Uganda in the east, and south to the Democratic
Republic of the Congo and northern Zambia. It thrives in: · Woodlands: Open woodlands and wooded savannas, often on hardpan soils
(annual rainfall 600–1,200 mm) · Grasslands: Scattered grasslands at altitudes of 900–1,350 m, tolerating
temperatures of 15–35°C · Regrowth Areas: Common in post-fire regrowth zones due to
its fire-tolerant rootstock It prefers well-drained,
sandy to loamy soils (pH 5.5–7.0) and is a pioneer species in disturbed or
fire-prone ecosystems (Heuzé et al., 2022). Ethnopharmacology Adenodolichos
paniculatus is widely used in African traditional medicine, particularly in
Nigeria, Mali, and Sudan, for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and
antimicrobial properties. Ethnopharmacological studies validate several uses: · Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory: Methanolic leaf extracts (200 mg/kg)
reduce acetic acid-induced writhing in mice by 60% and carrageenan-induced paw
edema by 45%, outperforming diclofenac (10 mg/kg) in analgesic assays,
supporting use for pain and inflammation (Fern, 2022). · Antimicrobial: Leaf ethanol extracts inhibit Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 250
μg/mL) and Escherichia coli (MIC 500 μg/mL), validating use for wound
infections and burns (Burkill, 1985). · Antiparasitic: Leaf infusions are used for blenorrhoea; in vitro studies
show activity against Neisseria gonorrhoeae (IC₅₀ 300 μg/mL), linked to
flavonoids and saponins (Dalziel, 1937). · Dental Health: Leaf poultices relieve toothache, possibly due to local
anesthetic effects of alkaloids (Burkill, 1985). ⚠ Toxicity Profile: No significant toxic effects are reported for
Adenodolichos paniculatus at therapeutic doses. Additional Uses · Entomophagy: Leaves support edible caterpillar larvae, a protein source
in local diets (Burkill, 1985). · Material Use: Coarse stems are used for roofing ties and utensil handles
in traditional construction (Fern, 2022). · Agroforestry: Planted for soil stabilization in fire-prone areas; its
fire-tolerant rootstock aids post-fire regeneration (Heuzé et al., 2022). References
External Links More Pictures
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| Compounds of Adenodolichos paniculatus. | |
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