Details Top

Internal ID UUID643fd8dcea772211432282
Scientific name Macrotyloma axillare
Authority (E.Mey.) Verdc.
First published in Kew Bull.24: 402 (1970)

Ethnobotanical Use Top

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General Uses Top

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Common products:
Macrotyloma axillare is cultivated mainly as a forage legume. The aerial biomass is cut for hay, dried and baled, or ensiled to silage. Cattle, sheep and goats also graze the fresh foliage. The mature seeds are protein‑rich and are sometimes used in commercial feed mixes. Typical yields amount to a few tonnes per hectare for hay and several tonnes per hectare for silage.

Industrial and craft applications:
Dried plant material is pelletized to produce animal‑feed pellets, providing a cost‑effective protein supplement. In mixed‑cropping rotations the legume functions as a green manure; its symbiosis with Bradyrhizobium spp. fixes atmospheric nitrogen, reducing synthetic fertilizer needs and enriching soil organic matter.

Food and beverages (non‑medicinal):
In parts of East and Southern Africa the young leaves are cooked as a leafy vegetable. The mature seeds are boiled, roasted, or milled into flour and used as a pulse in traditional stews and porridges. The seeds’ relatively high protein content makes them a valuable protein source where animal protein is scarce.

Properties relevant to use:
The foliage is relatively high in crude protein and highly digestible. Seeds are protein‑rich, supplying essential amino acids. The plant’s nitrogen‑fixing ability improves soil fertility and supports sustainable crop‑livestock systems.

Standards and regulation:
The protein content of Macrotyloma axillare fodder meets the minimum protein levels required by major feed regulations (e.g., Codex Alimentarius Guidelines for Animal Feeding). Seed protein complies with the specifications for inclusion in commercial livestock concentrates as defined by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

Sustainability and sourcing:
Macrotyloma axillare thrives in semi‑arid to sub‑humid tropical environments, tolerates drought and low‑fertility soils, and can be cultivated on marginal land. Its dual role as feed and green manure reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers and enhances carbon sequestration. The species is listed by the FAO as a neglected and underutilized crop, indicating potential for expanded low‑input production.

Scientific/model use:
The plant has been used in controlled experiments on nitrogen fixation and legume‑rhizobium symbiosis, serving as a test species for evaluating inoculant performance and plant responses to varied soil nitrogen conditions.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Dolichos axillaris E.Mey. Comm. Pl. Afr. Austr.: 144 (1836)
Dolichos axillaris var. pubescens E.Mey. Comm. Pl. Afr. Austr. : 144 (1836)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
English perennial horsegram
Chinese 阿其尔大结豆

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Name Authority First published in
Macrotyloma axillare var. axillare (E.Mey.) Verdc. Unknown
Macrotyloma axillare var. glabrum (E.Mey.) Verdc. Kew Bull.24: 402 (1970)
Macrotyloma axillare var. macranthum (Brenan) Verdc. Kew Bull.24: 402 (1970)

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Africa
    • East Tropical Africa
      • Kenya
      • Tanzania
      • Uganda
    • Northeast Tropical Africa
      • Eritrea
      • Ethiopia
      • Somalia
      • Sudan
    • South Tropical Africa
      • Angola
      • Malawi
      • Mozambique
      • Zambia
      • Zimbabwe
    • Southern Africa
      • Botswana
      • Cape Provinces
      • Kwazulu-Natal
      • Namibia
      • Northern Provinces
      • Swaziland
    • West Tropical Africa
      • Ghana
      • Guinea
      • Nigeria
      • Senegal
      • Sierra Leone
      • Togo
    • West-central Tropical Africa
      • Burundi
      • Cameroon
      • Rwanda
      • Zaïre
    • Western Indian Ocean
      • Comoros
      • Madagascar
      • Mauritius
      • Réunion
  • Asia-tropical
    • Indian Subcontinent
      • Sri Lanka
    • Papuasia
      • New Guinea

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000181770
USDA Plants MAAX2
Tropicos 13062627
INPN 706511
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:505853-1
The Plant List ild-2789
Open Tree Of Life 1086817
NCBI Taxonomy 3876
IPNI 505853-1
iNaturalist 468905
GBIF 2976978
EPPO MTMAX
EOL 644798
USDA GRIN 104908
CMAUP NPO17739

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
A comprehensive review of antimalarial medicinal plants used by Tanzanians Kacholi DS Pharm Biol 25-Jan-2024
PMCID:PMC10812860
doi:10.1080/13880209.2024.2305453
PMID:38270178
Effects of Elevated Temperature on Pisum sativum Nodule Development: I—Detailed Characteristic of Unusual Apical Senescence Serova TA, Kusakin PG, Kitaeva AB, Seliverstova EV, Gorshkov AP, Romanyuk DA, Zhukov VA, Tsyganova AV, Tsyganov VE Int J Mol Sci 05-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10742560
doi:10.3390/ijms242417144
PMID:38138973
Climbing strategies of Taiwan climbers Chen PH, Chung AC, Lin HC, Yang SZ Bot Stud 22-Sep-2023
PMCID:PMC10516820
doi:10.1186/s40529-023-00399-4
PMID:37736799
Medicinal Plants Used in the Management of Sexual Dysfunction, Infertility and Improving Virility in the East African Community: A Systematic Review Kyarimpa C, Nagawa CB, Omara T, Odongo S, Ssebugere P, Lugasi SO, Gumula I Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 12-Aug-2023
PMCID:PMC10439835
doi:10.1155/2023/6878852
PMID:37600549
Bradyrhizobium occurrence in nodules of perennial horsegram Amaral MB, dos Santos Lopes T, Feder CB, Ribeiro TG, Pacheco RS, Teixeira TN, de Castro Monteiro E, Ramalho IO, de O. Macedo R, Boddey RM, Zilli JE, Alves BJ Braz J Microbiol 08-Sep-2022
PMCID:PMC9679115
doi:10.1007/s42770-022-00821-2
PMID:36074250
A Global Overview of Diversity and Phylogeny of the Rust Genus Uromyces Gautam AK, Avasthi S, Verma RK, Sushma, Niranjan M, Devadatha B, Jayawardena RS, Suwannarach N, Karunarathna SC J Fungi (Basel) 14-Jun-2022
PMCID:PMC9224716
doi:10.3390/jof8060633
PMID:35736116
Technologies Used in Production Systems for Santa Inês Sheep: A Systematic Review Bezerra AS, dos Santos MA, Lourenço-Júnior JD Front Vet Sci 31-May-2022
PMCID:PMC9195131
doi:10.3389/fvets.2022.896241
PMID:35711795
Growth Performance, Meat Quality and Antioxidant Status of Sheep Supplemented with Tannins: A Meta-Analysis Orzuna-Orzuna JF, Dorantes-Iturbide G, Lara-Bueno A, Mendoza-Martínez GD, Miranda-Romero LA, Lee-Rangel HA Animals (Basel) 08-Nov-2021
PMCID:PMC8614576
doi:10.3390/ani11113184
PMID:34827916
Bowman-Birk Inhibitors: Insights into Family of Multifunctional Proteins and Peptides with Potential Therapeutical Applications Gitlin-Domagalska A, Maciejewska A, Dębowski D Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 25-Nov-2020
PMCID:PMC7760496
doi:10.3390/ph13120421
PMID:33255583
Progress and Challenges in Ex Situ Conservation of Forage Germplasm: Grasses, Herbaceous Legumes and Fodder Trees Hanson J, Ellis RH Plants (Basel) 02-Apr-2020
PMCID:PMC7238044
doi:10.3390/plants9040446
PMID:32252434
New Insights Into the Plastome Evolution of the Millettioid/Phaseoloid Clade (Papilionoideae, Leguminosae) Oyebanji O, Zhang R, Chen SY, Yi TS Front Plant Sci 10-Mar-2020
PMCID:PMC7076112
doi:10.3389/fpls.2020.00151
PMID:32210983
Exploring Antimalarial Herbal Plants across Communities in Uganda Based on Electronic Data Okello D, Kang Y Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 15-Sep-2019
PMCID:PMC6766105
doi:10.1155/2019/3057180
PMID:31636682
Plant Protease Inhibitors in Therapeutics-Focus on Cancer Therapy Srikanth S, Chen Z Front Pharmacol 08-Dec-2016
PMCID:PMC5143346
doi:10.3389/fphar.2016.00470
PMID:28008315
Erratum: Unsafe abortion in rural Tanzania – the use of traditional medicine from a patient and a provider perspective Rasch V, Sørensen PH, Wang AR, Tibazarwa F, Jäger AK BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 29-Dec-2015
PMCID:PMC4696281
doi:10.1186/s12884-015-0794-7
PMID:26715310
Unsafe abortion in rural Tanzania – the use of traditional medicine from a patient and a provider perspective Rasch V, Sørensen PH, Wang AR, Tibazarwa F, Jäger AK BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 19-Dec-2014
PMCID:PMC4279892
doi:10.1186/s12884-014-0419-6
PMID:25524498

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acid esters
[(2S,5S,6R,7S,9S,11R,13S)-9,11-dihydroxy-13-(methoxymethyl)-5,9,13-trimethyl-4-oxo-3,12-dioxatricyclo[8.3.0.02,6]tridec-1(10)-en-7-yl] (Z)-2-methylbut-2-enoate 102321417 Click to see 410.50 unknown via CMAUP database
[(3S,3aR,4S,6S,7S,9R,9bS)-6,7,9-trihydroxy-3,6,9-trimethyl-2-oxo-3a,4,5,7,8,9b-hexahydro-3H-azuleno[4,5-b]furan-4-yl] (Z)-2-methylbut-2-enoate 643640 Click to see 380.40 unknown via CMAUP database
[(3S,3aR,4S,6S,9bS)-6-hydroxy-3,6,9-trimethyl-2-oxo-3,3a,4,5,8,9b-hexahydroazuleno[4,5-b]furan-4-yl] (E)-2-methylbut-2-enoate 101672241 Click to see 346.40 unknown via CMAUP database
[(3S,3aR,4S,6S,9bS)-6-hydroxy-3,6,9-trimethyl-2-oxo-3,3a,4,5,8,9b-hexahydroazuleno[4,5-b]furan-4-yl] (Z)-2-methylbut-2-enoate 101078309 Click to see 346.40 unknown via CMAUP database
[(3S,3aR,4S,6S,9R,9bS)-6,9-dihydroxy-3,6,9-trimethyl-2,7-dioxo-3,3a,4,5,8,9b-hexahydroazuleno[4,5-b]furan-4-yl] (E)-2-methylbut-2-enoate 15922700 Click to see 378.40 unknown via CMAUP database
[(3S,3aR,4S,6S,9R,9bS)-6,9-dihydroxy-3,6,9-trimethyl-2,7-dioxo-3,3a,4,5,8,9b-hexahydroazuleno[4,5-b]furan-4-yl] (Z)-2-methylbut-2-enoate 101143220 Click to see 378.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Guaianes
(2S)-2-(3,8-dimethylazulen-5-yl)propanoic acid 3083593 Click to see CC1=C2C=CC(=C2C=C(C=C1)C(C)C(=O)O)C 228.29 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones
(3R,3aS,7R,10E,11aS)-7-hydroxy-3,10-dimethyl-6-methylidene-3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,11a-octahydrocyclodeca[b]furan-2-one 13821246 Click to see 250.33 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Sesquiterpene lactones / Eudesmanolides, secoeudesmanolides, and derivatives
(3R,3aS,5aR,6R,9R,9aS,9bS)-6,9-dihydroxy-3,5a,9-trimethyl-3a,4,5,6,7,8,9a,9b-octahydro-3H-benzo[g][1]benzofuran-2-one 14110909 Click to see 268.35 unknown via CMAUP database
Dihydrosantamarin 13895713 Click to see CC1C2CCC3(C(CC=C(C3C2OC1=O)C)O)C 250.33 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Sesquiterpene lactones / Germacranolides and derivatives
Costunolide derivative 54607887 Click to see 250.33 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Alpha amino acids and derivatives / Alpha amino acids
Betaine 247 Click to see 117.15 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Alpha amino acids and derivatives / Proline and derivatives
(-)-Stachydrine 115244 Click to see 143.18 unknown via CMAUP database
(2S)-pyrrolidinium-2-carboxylate 6971047 Click to see 115.13 unknown via CMAUP database
Betonicine 164642 Click to see 159.18 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic nitrogen compounds / Organonitrogen compounds / Quaternary ammonium salts / Cholines
Choline 305 Click to see 104.17 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Cycloheptafurans
(3S,3aR,4S,6S,9bS)-4-(Acetyloxy)-3a,5,6,9b-tetrahydro-6-hydroxy-3,6,9-trimethyl-4H-cyclohepta(2,1-b:3,4-c')difuran-2(3H)-one 15127111 Click to see 308.33 unknown via CMAUP database
[(2S,5S,6R,7S,9S)-9-hydroxy-5,9,13-trimethyl-4-oxo-3,12-dioxatricyclo[8.3.0.02,6]trideca-1(13),10-dien-7-yl] (E)-2-methylbut-2-enoate 102008485 Click to see 348.40 unknown via CMAUP database
2-Butenoic acid, 2-methyl-, (3S,3aR,4S,6S,9bS)-2,3,3a,5,6,9b-hexahydro-6-hydroxy-3,6,9-trimethyl-2-oxo-4H-cyclohepta(2,1-b:3,4-c')difuran-4-yl ester, (2Z)- 102008484 Click to see 348.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Lactones / Gamma butyrolactones
[(3R,3aR,4S,9aS,9bR)-3,6,9-trimethyl-2,7-dioxo-3,3a,4,5,9a,9b-hexahydroazuleno[4,5-b]furan-4-yl] acetate 102014217 Click to see 304.34 unknown via CMAUP database
[(3S,3aR,4S,9aR,9bS)-9a-hydroxy-3,6,9-trimethyl-2,7-dioxo-3a,4,5,9b-tetrahydro-3H-azuleno[4,5-b]furan-4-yl] acetate 76764466 Click to see 320.30 unknown via CMAUP database
14-Deoxylactucin 156302 Click to see 260.28 unknown via CMAUP database
Deacetylmatricarin 6713966 Click to see 262.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Dehydroleucodine 73440 Click to see CC1=C2C(C3C(CC1)C(=C)C(=O)O3)C(=CC2=O)C 244.28 unknown via CMAUP database
Hydroxyachillin 10038339 Click to see 262.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Matricarin 3083923 Click to see CC1C2C(CC(=C3C(C2OC1=O)C(=CC3=O)C)C)OC(=O)C 304.34 unknown via CMAUP database
Matricin 92265 Click to see CC1C2C(CC(=C3C=CC(C3C2OC1=O)(C)O)C)OC(=O)C 306.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols
Quercetagetin-6,7-3',4'-tetramethyl Ether 5316832 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C=C3O2)OC)OC)O)O)OC 374.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid C-glycosides / Flavonoid 8-C-glycosides
Isoschaftoside 3084995 Click to see C1C(C(C(C(O1)C2=C(C(=C3C(=C2O)C(=O)C=C(O3)C4=CC=C(C=C4)O)C5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)O)O)O)O 564.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Schaftoside 442658 Click to see C1C(C(C(C(O1)C2=C3C(=C(C(=C2O)C4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)C(=O)C=C(O3)C5=CC=C(C=C5)O)O)O)O 564.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glucuronides / Flavonoid-7-O-glucuronides
Luteolin 7-glucuronide 5280601 Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)C(=O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O 462.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides
Kaempferol-3-O-Rutinoside 5318767 Click to see 594.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Rutin 5280805 Click to see 610.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides
6-Hydroxyluteolin 7-glucoside 185766 Click to see 464.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Apigenin 7-O-glucoside 5280704 Click to see 432.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Isorhoifolin 9851181 Click to see 578.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Luteolin 7-O-glucoside 5280637 Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O)O 448.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 4-O-methylated flavonoids
Diosmetin 5281612 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O 300.26 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 6-O-methylated flavonoids
Centaureidin 5315773 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(O2)C=C(C(=C3O)OC)O)OC)O 360.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Pectolinarigenin 5320438 Click to see COC1=CC=C(C=C1)C2=CC(=O)C3=C(O2)C=C(C(=C3O)OC)O 314.29 unknown via CMAUP database
Santin 5281695 Click to see COC1=CC=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(O2)C=C(C(=C3O)OC)O)OC 344.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids
Artemetin 5320351 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C=C3O2)OC)OC)O)OC)OC 388.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Eupatorin 97214 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C=C3O2)OC)OC)O)O 344.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Penduletin 4'-methyl ether 5318355 Click to see 358.30 unknown via CMAUP database

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