Vachellia rigidula
{{Short description|Species of plant}}
{{Speciesbox
|image = Acacia rigidula.jpg
|status = LC
|status_system = IUCN3.1
|status_ref = {{cite journal |author=Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) |author2= IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group 2019 |name-list-style=amp |title=Acacia rigidula |journal=The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species |at=e.T144316027A149032431 |publisher=IUCN |year=2019 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T144316027A149032431.en |s2cid= 242102675 |doi-access=free }}
|status2 = G5
|status2_system = TNC
|genus = Vachellia
|species = rigidula
|authority = (Benth.) Seigler & Ebinger
|synonyms = *Acacia rigidula Benth.{{GRIN | access-date=2010-10-17}}
- Acaciopsis rigidula (Benth.) Britton & Rose
|range_map = Acacia rigidula range map.png
|range_map_caption = Natural range
}}
Vachellia rigidula, commonly known as blackbrush acacia or chaparro prieto, and also known as Acacia rigidula, is a species of shrub or small tree in the legume family, Fabaceae. Its native range stretches from Texas in the United States south to central Mexico. This perennial is not listed as being threatened.{{cite web|title=Acacia rigidula|url=http://www.ildis.org/LegumeWeb?version~10.01&LegumeWeb&tno~7639&genus~Acacia&species~rigidula |work=LegumeWeb|publisher=International Legume Database & Information Service (ILDIS)|access-date=2019-10-18|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629102904/http://www.ildis.org/LegumeWeb?version~10.01&LegumeWeb&tno~7639&genus~Acacia&species~rigidula|archive-date=June 29, 2007}} It reaches a height of {{convert|5|-|15|ft|m}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ACRI |title=Acacia rigidula Benth |work=Native Plant Database |publisher=Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center |access-date=2009-06-30}} Blackbrush acacia grows on limestone hillsides and canyons.{{cite web |url=http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/nativeshrubs/acaciarigid.htm |title=Blackbrush Acacia, Chaparro Prieto, Catclaw, Gavia |work=Texas Native Plants Database |publisher=Texas A&M University |access-date=2009-06-30}}
Phytochemistry
A phytochemical study of V. rigidula{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/S0031-9422(97)01022-4 |title=Toxic amines and alkaloids from acacia rigidula |journal=Phytochemistry |volume=49 |issue=5 |pages=1377–80 |year=1998 |last1=Clement |first1=Beverly A |last2=Goff |first2=Christina M |last3=Forbes |first3=T.David A |bibcode=1998PChem..49.1377C }} by workers at the Texas A & M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Uvalde, TX, reported the presence of over forty alkaloids, including low amounts (up to around 15 ppm) of several phenolic amines that had previously been found by the same research group in the related species Senegalia berlandieri,{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00240-9 |title=Toxic amines and alkaloids from Acacia berlandieri |journal=Phytochemistry |volume=46 |issue=2 |pages=249–54 |year=1997 |last1=Clement |first1=Beverly A. |last2=Goff |first2=Christina M. |last3=Forbes |first3=T. David A. |bibcode=1997PChem..46..249C }} but which otherwise are known only as products of laboratory synthesis. Compounds found in the highest concentrations (ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand ppm) were phenethylamine, tryptamine, tyramine, and β-Methylphenethylamine (that it can be misidentified as amphetamine).{{cite journal |last1=Pawar |first1=RS |last2=Grundel |first2=E |last3=Fardin-Kia |first3=AR |last4=Rader |first4=JI |title=Determination of selected biogenic amines in Acacia rigidula plant materials and dietary supplements using LC-MS/MS methods. |journal=Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis |date=January 2014 |volume=88 |pages=457–66 |doi=10.1016/j.jpba.2013.09.012 |pmid=24176750}} Other notable compounds reported were N,N-dimethyltryptamine, mescaline, and nicotine, although these were found in low concentrations (e.g. mescaline at 3-28 ppm).
The presence of such an unprecedented chemical range of psychoactive compounds, including ones not previously found in nature, in a single plant species has led to the suggestion that some of these findings may have resulted from cross-contamination or were possibly artifacts of the analytical technique.{{cite web |url=http://www.cognitiveliberty.org/shulgin/adsarchive/acacia.htm |work=Ask Dr. Shulgin Online |title=Acacias and Natural Amphetamine |publisher=Center for Cognitive Liberty & Ethics |date=2001-09-26}}
Uses
Vachellia rigidula is used in weight loss dietary supplements because of the presence of chemical compounds claimed to stimulate beta-receptors to increase lipolysis and metabolic rate and decrease appetite.{{cite patent |country=WO |number=2006099274 |status=application |title=Dietary Supplement and Method of Using Same |pubdate=2006-09-14 |fdate=2006-03-13 |inventor=Jared R. Wheat}}
Vachellia rigidula is also known as a large honey producer and early blooming plant for its native region.
= Safety =
In 2015, 52% of supplements labeled as containing Acacia rigidula were found to be adulterated with synthetic BMPEA, an amphetamine isomer.{{cite journal |doi=10.1002/dta.1793 |title=An amphetamine isomer whose efficacy and safety in humans has never been studied, β-methylphenylethylamine (BMPEA), is found in multiple dietary supplements |journal=Drug Testing and Analysis |pages= 328–33|year=2015 |last1=Cohen |first1=Pieter A. |last2=Bloszies |first2=Clayton |last3=Yee |first3=Caleb |last4=Gerona |first4=Roy |pmid=25847603 |volume=8|issue=3–4 |doi-access=free }} Consumers following recommended maximum daily servings would consume a maximum of 94 mg of BMPEA per day. In 2012, however, the FDA determined that BMPEA was not naturally present in Acacia rigidula leaves.{{cite web|url=http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/news/20150407/bmpea-acacia-rigidula-supplments|title=Untested Stimulant Still in Dietary Supplements|first=Brenda |last=Goodman|publisher=WebMD|date=2015-04-07}}
Gallery
File:Acacia rigidula seeds.jpg|Seeds
File:Acacia-rigidula-branch.jpg|Foliage
File:Acacia-rigidula-bark.jpg|Bark
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category-inline|Vachellia rigidula}}
{{Wikispecies-inline|Acacia rigidula|Vachellia rigidula}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20071215234856/http://www.asft.ttu.edu/cfire/databases/range3.html Range Shrubs]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q2715268}}
Category:Plants described in 1842
Category:Trees of Northern America
{{Mimosoideae-stub}}