Aeschynomene elaphroxylon

Aeschynomene elaphroxylon, also known as an ambatch, pith tree or balsa wood tree, is a common large shrub to small tree of the genus Aeschynomene in the family Fabaceae. It can grow up to 9 m high, with spiny stems, and pairs of substantial thorns under the base of leaves.[1]

Aeschynomene elaphroxylon
D. Branch with pods of A. americana. E. Pod of A. trigonocarpa.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Aeschynomene
Species:
A. elaphroxylon
Binomial name
Aeschynomene elaphroxylon

A. elaphroxylon is indigenous to parts of tropical Africa. It typically grows by water and in waterlogged soils.[2][3]

The seeds of A. elaphroxylon have been known to stay viable after being buried for a few years in the waterlogged banks where it grows well.[4] The seeds are contained in pods that grow in flattened, erect spirals on the tree. The tree has nitrogen fixing nodules in its stem.[3]

In Ethiopia, the species can be found in the Nechisar National Park.[5]

References
  1. Arbonnier, Michel (2004). Trees, Shrubs and Lianas of West African Dry Zones. Quae. ISBN 2-87614-579-0.
  2. Burkill, H.M. 1985. The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol 3
  3. Dommergues, Y.R.; G.H. Diem (editors) (1982). Microbiology of Tropical Soils and Plant Productivity. Springer. ISBN 90-247-2624-7.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  4. Fraser, Lauchlan H.; Paul A. Keddy (editors) (2005). The World's Largest Wetlands: Ecology and Conservation. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-83404-X.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  5. Nechisar National Park Archived 2013-10-28 at the Wayback Machine, Realethiopia.com, January 4, 2006, Retrieved on June 22, 2008


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