Black Pearl

Scientific name: Majidea zanguebarica

POWO Status: Shrub or Tree

IUCN Red List threat level: Not Evaluated

GPS Location: 17° 42′ 54.93″ N, 64° 49′ 51.38″ W

Medicinal Uses

Majidea zanguebarica is traditionally used across various regions for fever, intestinal issues, wounds, and urinary problems like kidney stones, with leaf and seed extracts showing promise for antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects due to compounds like saponins, tannins, and flavonoids, though more research is needed to validate these traditional uses scientifically.

Traditional Medicinal Uses:

Fever & Inflammation: Leaf juice or extracts used for fever, headaches, skin diseases, bruises, and painful areas.
Kidney & Gallbladder: Fresh leaf juice, sometimes with black pepper or cumin, for kidney/gallbladder stones and urinary issues.
Wound Healing: Applied for boils, wounds, ulcers, and insect bites due to antibacterial properties in pods and leaves.
Gastrointestinal: Used for diarrhea, dysentery, constipation, and stomach aches.
Bleeding Disorders: Recommended for piles (hemorrhoids) and menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding).
Respiratory: Leaves steeped in hot water for asthma relief.
Other: Tribals in Kerala use it for cancer; used for epilepsy in Bangladesh.

Scientific Findings (Phytochemicals & Activity):

Bioactive Compounds: Extracts contain alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, phenols, and glycosides.
Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory: High levels of phenols and flavonoids suggest antioxidant potential; compounds like octadecanoic acid show anti-inflammatory properties.
Antimicrobial: Shows potential against bacteria and fungi, with seeds and leaves having antibacterial properties.
Anticancer: Studies are exploring its potential anticancer activity.

Key takeaway:

Majidea zanguebarica is a significant traditional medicine, especially in East Africa and India, for conditions ranging from infections to kidney stones, supported by preliminary scientific findings on its beneficial plant compounds.

Observations:

Phenological Marker – Majidea zanguebarica

Common Name: Black Pearl Tree, Velvet Seed Tree
Scientific Name: Majidea zanguebarica Kirk ex Oliv.
Family: Sapindaceae

Leaf Phenology

Leaf Type: Pinnately compound with 5–11 smooth-edged, glossy green leaflets
Evergreen: Yes, in tropical and subtropical climates
Leaf Flush: New leaf flushes can occur year-round but are most prominent following rains or active growth periods
Senescence: Older leaves may gradually yellow and drop, particularly after flowering or in dry spells

Flowering

Inflorescence: Small, pale greenish-yellow to cream flowers in panicles or axillary clusters
Blooming Period: Late spring to summer, depending on climate (typically after leaf flush)
Pollinators: Likely small bees and flies (flowers are not showy but fragrant)
Phenological Indicator: Emergence of fine, pale panicles among leaf bases or branch ends

Fruiting

Fruit Type: Woody capsule, bright red when mature, opening to reveal three glossy black seeds each set against a vivid red interior
Fruit Development: Occurs soon after flowering; fruit may remain on tree for some time even after dehiscence
Dispersal: Seeds are often bird-dispersed due to color contrast
Phenological Indicator: Bright red capsules opening to display striking black seeds—highly ornamental and unmistakable

Suggested Photo Angles

Whole tree showing symmetrical form and fine foliage
Close-up of compound leaf and new flush
Flower clusters (small, but good to document timing)
Bright red split capsules showing glossy black seeds
Ground beneath tree showing dropped fruit/seeds (if present)

Notes for Monitoring

Fruit display may be useful for public engagement, especially with children and botanical education

Majidea zanguebarica is often planted ornamentally for its unusual and colorful fruit display

Fruits are persistent and offer one of the clearest phenological markers for this species

Leaf flush, flowering, and fruiting may overlap, especially in consistently warm tropical settings