Camoensia brevicalyx
The pink-flowered liane Camoensia brevicalyx is widely distributed in Africa, but is infrequently collected and poorly-known scientifically.
Species Information
- Scientific Name: Camoensia brevicalyx Benth.
- Conservation Status: Least Concern (LC) according to IUCN Red List criteria.
- Habitat: Around lakes and lagoons, by streams and in swampy forest.
- Key Uses: None known.
- Known hazards: None known.
Taxonomy
- Class: Equisetopsida
- Subclass: Magnoliidae
- Superorder: Rosanae
- Order: Fabales
- Family: Leguminosae - Papilionoideae
- Genus: Camoensia
About this species
A member of the pea and bean family (Leguminosae), Camoensia brevicalyx is a woody climber from the wet forests of tropical Africa.
Geography & Distribution
Camoensia brevicalyx is native to tropical Africa and has been recorded in Angola, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Description
A liane (woody climber, supported by other vegetation) growing up to 30 m high, with a stout stem up to 3 cm in diameter and compound leaves. The flowers are pinkish.
Threats & Conservation
Herbarium specimen of Camoensia brevicalyx, collected in Equatorial Guinea by Gustav Mann in 1842 (Image: RBG Kew)
Camoensia brevicalyx is not considered to be threatened or in decline. It has a fairly widespread distribution and is known to occur within a number of protected areas. Future fieldwork is needed to collect seeds for storage in a seed bank as a method of ex-situ conservation, although collecting a large quantity of seeds from this liane may prove difficult in the field.
Conservation assessments carried out by Kew
Camoensia brevicalyx is being monitored as part of the Sampled Red List Index Project, which aims to produce conservation assessments for a representative sample of the world’s plant species. This information will then be used to monitor trends in extinction risk and help focus conservation efforts where they are needed most.
Uses
No uses are known, although it has been reported that alkaloids are present in abundance (over 1% concentration) in the roots, and in the seeds, along with some saponin and traces of steroids and terpenes.
This species at Kew
Dried and spirit-preserved specimens of Camoensia brevicalyx are held in the Herbarium at Kew, where they are available by appointment to researchers from around the world. The details, including images, of some of these specimens can be seen on-line in the Herbarium Catalogue.
References and credits
Beentje, H. (2010). The Kew Plant Glossary. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Burkill, H.M. (1995). The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa, Vol. 3, Families J – L. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Groom, A. (2010). Camoensia brevicalyx. Assessment using IUCN Categories and Criteria 3.1 (IUCN 2001). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Waterman, P.G., Faulkner, D.F. (1982). Quinolizidine/indolizidine alkaloids from the seed of Camoensia brevicalyx. Phytochemistry 21(1): 215-218.
Kew Science Editor: Gwilym Lewis
Copyediting: Emma Tredwell
While every effort has been taken to ensure that the information contained in these pages is reliable and complete, the notes on hazards, edibility and suchlike included here are recorded information and do not constitute recommendations. No responsibility will be taken for readers’ own actions. Full website terms and conditions.
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Echinacea purpurea
eastern purple coneflower
An attractive North American daisy, Echinacea purpurea has been in cultivation for over 200 years.
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