Global InformationAeschynomene elaphroxylon information
| Aeschynomene elaphroxylon | |
|---|---|
| |
Conservation status
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 Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1] | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Aeschynomene |
| Species: | A. elaphroxylon
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| Binomial name | |
| Aeschynomene elaphroxylon (Guill. & Perr.) Taub.
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| Synonyms[2][3] | |
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Aeschynomene elaphroxylon, also known as an ambatch,[1][2][4] pith-tree, balsa wood tree,[4] or umburu,[1] is a common large shrub to small tree of the genus Aeschynomene in the family Fabaceae growing in swamps, lakes and rivers in Tropical Africa. This is an unusual leguminous tree in that it grows in water as a freshwater mangrove, with an extremely lightweight wood acting as a float and a specialised root system sprouting from the trunk which forms a tangled web hanging through the water and sprawling through the mud. It has adventitious roots and roots which are differentiated into special structures adapted to the swamp environment. It can even grow as floating islands of drifting forests.
The name 'ambatch' derives from the name of the plant in the Arabic dialect spoken in Nigeria known as Shuwa by the British.[4] It is called Nile pith tree in Sri Lanka,[5] ambach there and in Malaysia,[5] or ambatsch in Malaysia.[6]
The extremely light, spongy, but rot-resistant wood is traditionally used to make floats for fishing nets and the trunks are lashed together to make rafts, as well as more sophisticated items.
- ^ a b c Lansdown, R.V. (2019). "Aeschynomene elaphroxylon". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T97043787A120201918. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T97043787A120201918.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Aeschynomene elaphroxylon (Guill. & Perr.) Taub. GRIN-Global". npgsweb.ars-grin.gov. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
- ^ "Tropicos | Name - Aeschynomene elaphroxylon (Guill. & Perr.) Taub". legacy.tropicos.org. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
- ^ a b c Burkill, H.M. 1985. The useful plants of West Tropical Africa, Vol 3
- ^ a b "Aeschynomene elaphroxylon". ILDIS World Database of Legumes. Richard White and International Legume Database & Information Service. 2005. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ Rudd, Velva E. (1959). "The genus Aeschynomene in Malaysia (Leguminosae-Papilionatae)". Reinwardtia. 5 (1): 23–36. Retrieved 7 May 2021.