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dialium

Scientific Name: Dialium

Family: Fabaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Dialium: An Overview

Dialium is a genus of legumes belonging to the Fabaceae family. Several species within this genus are known by the common name "velvet tamarind."

Considerations for Pets and Children

  • The text mentions that some Dialium species, like Dialium guineense and Dialium indum, produce small, grape-sized fruits.
  • The stem bark of Dialium guineense has traditional uses, suggesting the presence of bioactive substances.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Dialium
  • Family: Fabaceae (also referred to as Leguminosae)
  • Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
  • Common Names: Velvet tamarind, tamarind-plum, black tumbler, black tumber, black tumbia, Sierra Leone tamarind, Zulu Pod-Berry, Zulu Podberry
  • Synonyms (examples):
    • Dialium ambiguum Prain
    • Dialium havilandii Ridley
    • Dialium kingii Prain
    • Dialium maingayi Baker
    • Dialium platysepalum var. ambiguum (Prain) Ridley
    • Dialium angustifolium Ridley
    • Dialium javanicum Burm. f.
    • Dialium laurinum Baker

Distribution and Habitat

  • Dialium species are found in tropical regions.
  • Specific locations mentioned include:
    • Democratic Republic of Congo (Ituri Forest)
    • South Africa
    • Amazon, Caatinga, and Atlantic Forest
    • Côte d'Ivoire
    • Senegal
    • Cambodia
    • Laos
    • Malaysia
    • Myanmar
    • Thailand
    • Liberia
    • Ghana
    • Benin
    • Togo
  • Some species are forest trees, while others are evergreen shrubs.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Dialium guineense is described as an evergreen shrub or tree with a densely leafy, compact crown, capable of reaching up to 30 meters in height.
  • Some species are tall, tropical, fruit-bearing trees.
  • The fruit is often grape-sized.
  • Dialium schlechteri is described as a small tree.
  • Some Dialium species have shiny leaves and mottled white bark.

Traditional Uses and Biological Activities

  • The stem bark of Dialium guineense is traditionally used for treatment, suggesting antimicrobial properties.
  • The edible pulp of Dialium guineense is popular and said to taste like sherbet.

Quirky Facts

  • In different regions, Dialium guineense has a variety of local names, such as "Chat noir" in Côte d'Ivoire, "Mk" in Guinea, "Assisouin" in Benin, and "Attito" in Togo.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Bellulicauda dialii is a fungus found on Dialium guianense leaves.

Further Information

  • The Plant List (as of March 2015)
  • ARKive (for photos and facts)
  • Wikimedia Commons (for images like "File:Dialium guineense MS 10536.jpg")
  • Drugs.com (for a list of US medications equivalent to Dialium)