spiny splinter bean

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several key regions within Southern Africa. It can be found growing throughout the various Cape Provinces. Additionally, its range extends into the lush landscapes of KwaZulu-Natal. The species is also documented within the borders of Eswatini. Finally, its geographical presence includes the diverse terrain of the Northern Provinces.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Adenopodia spicata is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to inhabit diverse topographical landscapes. This species is found across a significant vertical gradient, ranging from low-lying areas at an elevation of 15 m AMSL to higher mountainous regions reaching a maximum of 1340 m AMSL. This wide elevational range suggests an ability to adapt to varying environmental pressures, including fluctuating temperature regimes, varying levels of atmospheric pressure, and diverse moisture availability found throughout these different altitude zones.

Elevational range max:

1340 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

15 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Adenopodia spicata is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, meaning it survives for more than two years and undergoes multiple reproductive cycles throughout its lifespan. Unlike annuals that complete their life cycle in a single growing season or biennials that require two years to flower, this species maintains its presence in the ecosystem through successive growing periods, allowing it to establish a more permanent foothold in its habitat. This perennial nature enables the plant to invest energy into robust vegetative structures that can withstand seasonal fluctuations, ensuring it can return to bloom and reproduce across many years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Adenopodia spicata is characterized by a woody growth form that functions as a shrub-like liana. As an obligatory climber, the plant exhibits a vine-like habit, reaching a significant stature with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 6 meters. Although it possesses a woody structure, it is an independent organism rather than a parasite, and it maintains a terrestrial ecological niche, functioning as a terrestrial plant rather than an epiphyte or a strictly aquatic species. Its growth habit allows it to navigate various environments, spanning the spectrum from terrestrial to semiaquatic conditions.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Adenopodia spicata is characterized by the production of seeds with highly uniform physical dimensions. Analysis of the seed characteristics reveals a consistent seed mass, with a mean value of 0.0607 g. This uniformity is absolute across the observed sample, as the maximum and minimum seed mass values both equal 0.0607 g, indicating a lack of variance in the weight of the reproductive units produced by the plant.

Seed mass mean:

0.0607 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Adenopodia spicata has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Adenopodia spicata has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include high blood pressure.

High blood pressure

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Adenopodia spicata has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves.

Leaves

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology