yellowbush

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• yellowbush
• Bankruptcy Bush
• Kraalbush

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Galenia linearis
• Galenia tenuifolia
• Galenia africana var. pentandra
• Galenia africana
• Galenia africana var. halimifolia
• Galenia africana var. secundata

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Caryophyllales, it is classified under the family Aizoaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Aizoon and the specific species africanum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Aizoon africanum, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across various regions of the African continent. In the area of South Tropical Africa, it can be found growing within Angola. Its presence extends into the Southern African region, specifically within the Cape Provinces. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit parts of Namibia. Finally, its range includes the Free State located in Southern Africa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Aizoon africanum is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, meaning it is capable of surviving for multiple years throughout its developmental stages. As a perennial plant, it avoids the complete senescence typical of annuals, allowing it to establish a more robust presence in its natural habitat over successive growing seasons. This longevity enables the plant to undergo repeated cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive phases, contributing to its ability to persist in various environmental conditions. Unlike annuals that complete their life cycle in a single season or biennials that require two years to flower, the life history of Aizoon africanum is defined by its sustained biological activity and long-term survival within its ecosystem.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aizoon africanum is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, exhibiting a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber. The plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 1.5 m. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, as it maintains a terrestrial lifestyle. While it can exist in aquatic or semiaquatic environments, its primary habit is categorized as terrestrial.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Aizoon africanum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Planta medica
2. Journal of natural products

Stem

1. Planta medica

Chemicals

Aizoon africanum has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, (2S)-5,7,2'-trihydroxyflavanone, (E)-3,2',4'-trihydroxy-3'-methoxychalcone, 2',4'-Dihydroxychalcone, 2',4'-Dihydroxydihydrochalcone.

Flavonoids

1. Scientifica
2. Planta medica

(2S)-5,7,2'-trihydroxyflavanone

1. Journal of natural products

(E)-3,2',4'-trihydroxy-3'-methoxychalcone

1. Journal of natural products

2',4'-Dihydroxychalcone

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

2',4'-Dihydroxydihydrochalcone

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

7,8-Dimethoxyflavone

1. Planta medica

Aliphatics

1. Scientifica

Fatty acids

1. Scientifica

RUTIN

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

ferulic acid

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Aizoon africanum has 8 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include CH2Cl2 extract, EtOH extract, EtOH extract of the leaves, crude ethanolic extracts, decoctions.

Ch2cl2 extract

1. Planta medica

Etoh extract

1. Journal of natural products

Etoh extract of the leaves

1. Journal of natural products

Crude ethanolic extracts

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Decoctions

1. Scientifica

Lotions

1. Scientifica

Methanolic extract

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Pastes

1. Scientifica