Cassia nigricans

Cassia nigricans

Scientific Classification:

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Phylum: Angiosperms
  • Class: Equisetopsida
  • Order: Fabales
  • Family: Fabaceae
  • Genus: Chamaecrista
  • Species: Chamaecrista nigricans

Synonyms:

  • Cassia nigricans Vahl
  • Cassia micrantha Guill. & Perr.
  • Cassia harneyi Specht
  • Chamaecrista harneyi (Specht) Govaerts

Species ID: NMP-244;wfo-0000164383;NCBI_Taxonomy ID: 948716

Common Names: n Senegal include Heb eddbae in Arabic (Senegal); Diala ni nguna, Diala ni nkuna, Koro diala ni, and Nokoro in Manding-Bambara; Magarabubel, Makarabubel, and Singiagel in Fula-Pulaar; and Diumbembevey in Diola.

Basic Description: Chamaecrista nigricans is an erect herb or undershrub, typically reaching heights between 25 to 45 cm, though it can grow up to 1.8 meters. The stems are pubescent with both short, crisped, and longer spreading hairs. Leaves are oblong, measuring 3–10 cm in length and 2–4 cm in width, with leaflets arranged in 7–15 pairs. The plant produces small yellow flowers, each petal about 3.5–4.5 mm long. The erect pods are 1.7–2.4 cm long, containing brown, obovate or rhombic seeds approximately 2.5–4 mm in length.

Distribution and Habitat: Chamaecrista nigricans is native to a broad range, including Cape Verde, tropical Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and India. It thrives in seasonally dry tropical biomes and is found in various habitats up to elevations of 1,200 meters. The plant favors areas with an annual rainfall between 950 and 1,400 mm, typically distributed over 5 to 6 months, as seen in the Sudano-Guinean zone of West Africa.

Medicinal Properties: Traditionally, Chamaecrista nigricans has been utilized to treat ailments such as fever, headaches, and stomach aches. Additionally, it serves as an insect repellent.

Known Toxicity: There is limited information regarding the toxicity of Chamaecrista nigricans. Caution is advised when using the plant for medicinal purposes, and consultation with knowledgeable practitioners is recommended.

Additional Information: Chamaecrista nigricans is an annual plant that grows primarily in seasonally dry tropical environments. Its adaptability to various habitats and traditional medicinal uses highlight its significance in the regions where it is native.

References:

  1. Plants of the World Online. (n.d.). Chamaecrista nigricans (Vahl) Greene. Retrieved from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:54641-2
  2. World Flora Online. (n.d.). Cassia nigricans Vahl. Retrieved from https://worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000164383
  3. Selina Wamucii. (n.d.). Chamaecrista nigricans (Black Partridge Pea, Black Cassia, Nigricans Partridge Pea) - Uses, Benefits & Care. Retrieved from https://www.selinawamucii.com/plants/fabaceae/chamaecrista-nigricans/
  4. Useful Tropical Plants. (n.d.). Chamaecrista nigricans. Retrieved from https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Chamaecrista+nigricans

External links

  1. https://worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000164383
  2. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:484916-1
  3. https://indiaflora-ces.iisc.ac.in/FloraKarnataka/herbsheet.php?id=1813&cat=1
  4. https://www.gbif.org/species/104872915
  5. https://www.gbif.org/species/5351706
Compounds of Cassia nigricans
References

Ayo, R. G., Amupitan, J. O., Ndukwe, I. G., & Audu, O. T. (2009). Some chemical constituents of the leaves of Cassia nigricans Vahl. African Journal of Pure and Applied Chemistry, 3(11), 208-211.