Acacia simplex

Acacia simplex
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Caesalpinioideae
Clade:	Mimosoid clade
Genus:	Acacia
Species:	A. simplex
Binomial name
Acacia simplex (Sparrm.) Pedley
Synonyms
Acacia laurifolia A.Gray Acacia laurifolia Willd. Acacia simplicifolia Druce Mimosa simplicifolia L.f.

Acacia simplex is a perennial climbing tree native to islands in the western part of the Pacific Ocean as far east as Savaiʻi. It is also found in Argentina. This tree grows up to 12 m in height.

There is no common English name, but it is called tatakia in Fiji, tatagia in Samoa, tātāngia in Tonga and Martaoui in New-Caledonia

Uses

The tree is used as a toxin in fishing. It incapacitates the fish, but it is apparently not harmful to people.

Phytochemicals

Bark

• N-methyltryptamine
• N,N-dimethyltryptamine
• 2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline

Leafy stems

• N-methyltryptamine
• N,N-dimethyltryptamine
• 2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline
• N,N-formylmethyltryptamine
• Traces of another unidentified alkaloid

Stem bark

Total alkaloids 3.6% of which 40% N-methyltryptamine, 22.5% N,N-dimethyltryptamine, 12.7% 2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline.

Twigs

Total alkaloids 0.11%, of which N-methyltryptamine is 26.3%, 6.2% N,N-dimethyltryptamine, 5.8% 2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahyrdo-β-carboline, 1.6% N,N-formylmethyltryptamine.

See also

• Psychedelic plants