Aeschynomene elaphroxylon

Taxobox
name = Aeschynomene elaphroxylon


image_width =
image_caption =
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Fabales
familia = Fabaceae
subfamilia =
tribus =
genus = "Aeschynomene"
species = "A. elaphroxylon"
binomial = "Aeschynomene elaphroxylon"
binomial_authority = Taub.
synonyms=

"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 Fabaceae family. It can grow up to 9 m high, with spiny stems, and pairs of substantial thorns under the base of leaves.cite book|last=Arbonnier|first=Michel|title=Trees, Shrubs and Lianas of West African Dry Zones|date=2004|publisher=Quae|isbn=2876145790]

"A. elaphroxylon" is indigenous to parts of tropical Africa. It typically grows by water and in water logged soils, such as by rivers, lakes and swamps in countries like Ghana and Nigeria, but is widespread across tropical Africa to Ethiopia and Sudan, and further south and east in Zimbabwe. [Burkill, H.M. 1985. [http://www.aluka.org/action/showMetadata?doi=10.5555/AL.AP.UPWTA.3_365&pgs=&cookieSet=1 The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol 3] ] cite book|last=Dommergues|first=Y.R.|coauthors=G.H. Diem (editors)|title=Microbiology of Tropical Soils and Plant Productivity|year=1982|publisher=Springer|isbn=9024726247]

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. [cite book|last=Fraser|first=Lauchlan H.|coauthors=Paul A. Keddy (editors)|title=The World's Largest Wetlands: Ecology and Conservation|date=2005|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=052183404X] The seeds are contained in pods that grow in flattened, erect spirals on the tree. The tree has nitrogen fixing nodules in its stem. In Ethiopia the species can be found in the Nechisar National Park. [ [http://realethiopia.com/nature/national-parks/nechisar-national-park.html Nechisar National Park] , Realethiopia.com, January 4 2006, Retrieved on June 22 2008]

References