Persian manna

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Caspian manna
• Persian mannaplant
• camelthorn
• camelthorn-bush

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hedysarum alhagi

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales. Finally, it is a member of the Fabaceae family and falls under the genus Alhagi.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions of Eurasia. In Middle Europe, its presence can be observed within the territories of Czechia and Slovakia. Moving toward Eastern Europe, it is found throughout both East European Russia and South European Russia. The species also extends into the Siberian region, specifically inhabiting the Altay area. Finally, its range reaches into Central Asia, where it is documented in Kazakhstan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Alhagi maurorum is characterized by its ability to thrive in diverse topographical settings, spanning a broad altitudinal gradient from as low as 300 m AMSL to elevations reaching a maximum of 2600 m AMSL. This plant demonstrates a specialized preference for specific substrate conditions, frequently colonizing sandy environments and locating itself within irrigation channels. Its distribution across these varying elevations and soil types highlights its adaptability to both arid and semi-arid landscapes where moisture may be concentrated or found in disturbed sandy patches.

Elevational range max:

2600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Habitat :

irrigation channals, sand

Life history

The life history of Alhagi maurorum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural life form, the plant is classified as a chamaephyte, a designation that reflects its growth habit where the permanent buds are located close to the soil surface. This specific life form, consistent across its physiological classifications as both a chamaephyte and a perennial, enables the plant to withstand various environmental stresses by maintaining its regenerative capacity near the ground level.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Alhagi maurorum is characterized by a shrubby growth form, manifesting as a woody, self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant typically maintains a stature ranging from a minimum height of 0.3 m to a maximum height of 1.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Alhagi maurorum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation strategies. The plant's vegetative morphology is defined by relatively small, specialized leaves that vary in size to optimize environmental interaction. Specifically, the leaf dimensions range from a minimum length of 0.5 cm to a maximum length of 3 cm, while the leaf width is notably narrow, ranging from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 1.4 cm. These morphological parameters reflect the physiological adaptations of the species to its ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

3 cm

Leaf length min:

0.5 cm

Leaf width max:

1.4 cm

Leaf width min:

0.2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Alhagi maurorum is characterized by a seasonal flowering period that typically begins in April and concludes in August, though the specific timing can be variable throughout the year. The plant produces fruit in the form of a pod, which is classified as a dehiscent structure, meaning it splits open at maturity to release its seeds. These seeds are quite small, with a mean mass of 0.00405 g, falling within a specific range between a minimum of 0.0034 g and a maximum of 0.0047 g. To ensure the spread of the next generation, the species utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on wind currents to transport its seeds away from the parent plant.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit type :

pod

Seed mass max:

0.0047 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00405 g

Seed mass min:

0.0034 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Alhagi maurorum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
2. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Root

1. Drug development and industrial pharmacy
2. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Chemicals

Alhagi maurorum has 25 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, 1-NONADECANOL, 3'-O-Methylorobol, CATALASE, CHLOROGENIC ACID.

Flavonoids

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
2. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
3. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity
4. Drug development and industrial pharmacy
5. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

1-NONADECANOL

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

3'-O-Methylorobol

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

CATALASE

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Emmotin A

1. Drug development and industrial pharmacy

Ethyl iso-allocholate

1. Physiology and molecular biology of plants : an international journal of functional plant biology

Flavonoid

1. Drug development and industrial pharmacy

Lupeol

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Luteolin 5,3'-dimethyl ether

1. Drug development and industrial pharmacy

Activities

Alhagi maurorum has 12 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Antipyretic.

Antioxidant

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
3. Cancer gene therapy
4. Drug development and industrial pharmacy

Antibacterial

1. Journal of environmental health science & engineering
2. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry

Anticancer

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
2. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of environmental health science & engineering
2. Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine

Antipyretic

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine

Adaptogen

1. Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine

Analgesic

1. Galen medical journal

Antidiabetic

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Antifungal

1. Physiology and molecular biology of plants : an international journal of functional plant biology

Antiproliferative

1. Scientific reports

Medicinal Uses

Alhagi maurorum has 20 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include kidney stones, breast cancer, jaundice, Diabetes Mellitus, antioxidant.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations