Common Names: 
Local Names: Senegal: nanande vorde (Fula-Pulaar), varbulel (Tukulor), bratiina (Manding-Soce), kordio kor, kordio nak, nonan a kob, nonan gor, nonan nak (Serer), ngandial nak (Wolof); Nigeria: dan markee (Hausa)
Species ID: NMP-234 | wfo-0000195119

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Genus: Indigofera

Species: I. secundiflora

Synonyms: Indigofera melanotricha Steud. ex A.Rich., Indigofera oligosperma DC., Indigofera urostachya Fenzl ex Baker

Indigofera secundiflora is an annual or short-lived perennial herb or subshrub, typically 0.3–1.2 m tall. Key features include:

·       Stems: Erect to ascending, slender, angular, covered with appressed white hairs, becoming woody at the base

·       Leaves: Pinnate, 3–7 cm long, with 5–11 obovate to elliptic leaflets (0.5–2 cm long); leaflets glabrous above, hairy beneath; stipules linear, 2–4 mm long

·       Inflorescence: Axillary racemes, 2–8 cm long, secund (flowers arranged along one side); flowers pink to purple, 5–7 mm long, with a standard petal 4–5 mm wide

·       Fruit: Pods straight, cylindrical, 1.5–3 cm long, 2–3 mm wide, brown, containing 6–10 angular seeds

Indigofera secundiflora is native to Tropical Africa, spanning West Africa (Senegal, Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Togo) to Central and East Africa (Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia). It thrives in:

·       Habitats: Seasonally dry savannas, grasslands, open woodlands, and disturbed areas such as roadsides and fallow fields at elevations of 100–1,500 m

·       Ecological Conditions: Prefers well-drained sandy or loamy soils (pH 5.5–7.0), annual rainfall of 500–1,500 mm, and temperatures of 20–35°C

·       Range in Nigeria: Common in northern regions, particularly in Hausa-speaking areas, where it is used medicinally

Its tolerance for drought and disturbed soils makes it a resilient species in semi-arid ecosystems (Kew Science, n.d.).

Indigofera secundiflora is used in traditional medicine across West Africa, with ethnopharmacological studies validating several applications:

·       Antimicrobial Activity: Methanol extracts of aerial parts inhibit Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (MIC 25–50 μg/mL), attributed to flavonoids like kaempferol and quercetin, supporting use for skin infections and wounds (Ahmadu et al., 2011).

·       Anti-inflammatory Effects: Leaf decoctions reduce carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats by 45–60% at 200 mg/kg, linked to flavones and isoflavones, validating use for inflammatory conditions like arthritis (Gerometta et al., 2020).

·       Gastrointestinal Disorders: Root infusions are used in Senegal to treat diarrhea and stomach aches, potentially due to tannins and flavonoids with astringent properties, though specific studies on *I. secundiflora* are limited (Burkill, 1995).

·       Fever and Pain Relief: In Nigeria, Hausa communities use leaf poultices for fever and headaches, likely due to analgesic flavonoids, supported by genus-level anti-inflammatory data (Gerometta et al., 2020).

⚠  Toxicity Profile: No acute toxicity is reported for Indigofera secundiflora at doses up to 3,000 mg/kg in rats (LD₅₀ >3,000 mg/kg). Sub-acute studies on related *Indigofera* species show mild hematological changes (e.g., reduced platelet count) at 1,000 mg/kg over 28 days, with no significant organ damage. Caution is advised for prolonged use due to potential alkaloid accumulation. Some *Indigofera* species contain nitropropanoyl esters, which may cause neurotoxicity in livestock, but this is not confirmed for *I. secundiflora*. Consult practitioners before medicinal use, especially during pregnancy (Gerometta et al., 2020).

·       Ecological: Enhances soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, common in Fabaceae; used in agroforestry to improve soil in fallow lands.

·       Forage: Aerial parts are grazed by livestock in Senegal and Nigeria, providing a protein-rich feed (15–20% crude protein), though overconsumption may pose risks (Heuzé et al., 2016).

·       Cultural: In Senegal, used in traditional rituals for healing ceremonies, symbolizing purification (Burkill, 1995).

·       Potential Dye Production: While not a primary indigo source, its relation to Indigofera tinctoria suggests potential for minor dye extraction (Gerometta et al., 2020).

• Ahmadu, A. A., Hassan, H. S., & Abubakar, M. S. (2011). Isolation of antibacterial flavonoids from the aerial parts of Indigofera secundiflora. Pharmacognosy Journal, 3(19), 25–29.

• Burkill, H. M. (1995). The useful plants of West Tropical Africa (Vol. 3). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

• Gerometta, E., Grondin, I., Smadja, J., Frederich, M., & Gauvin-Bialecki, A. (2020). A review of traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Indigofera. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 253, 112608.

• Heuzé, V., Thiollet, H., Tran, G., & Lebas, F. (2016). Indigofera (Indigofera secundiflora). Feedipedia, Animal Feed Resources Information System. Retrieved from https://www.feedipedia.org/node/287

• Kew Science. (n.d.). Indigofera secundiflora Poir. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77173030-1

• Nwankwo, O. E., & Ayodele, A. E. (2017). Taxonomic studies of the genus Indigofera Linn., in Nigeria. IDOSR Journal of Experimental Sciences, 2(3), 10–26.

• Indigofera secundiflora - Feedipedia

• Indigofera secundiflora - JSTOR Plants

• Indigofera secundiflora - West African Plants

• Indigofera secundiflora - Plants of the World Online

• 3-Methoxy Quercetin

Ahmadu, A. A., Onanuga, A., & Ebeshi, B. U. (2011). Isolation of antibacterial flavonoids from the aerial parts of Indigofera secundiflora. Pharmacognosy Journal, 3(19), 25-28.