Anabasis setifera

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Seidlitzia lanigera
• Salsola lutea

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Anabasis setifera, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Caryophyllales and the family Amaranthaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Anabasis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across multiple regions of Africa and Asia. In Northern Africa, its presence is specifically documented within the borders of Egypt. Moving into Northeast Tropical Africa, the species can be found throughout Sudan and South Sudan. Its range extends into Western Asia, where it inhabits the territories of Afghanistan and Iran. Additionally, the plant is also distributed across the landscape of Iraq.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Anabasis setifera is defined by its specific altitudinal distribution, as it typically inhabits environments ranging from a minimum elevation of 400 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 800 m AMSL. Within this specific vertical range, the plant occupies niches characterized by these mid-to-low altitude gradients, which influence the local microclimates and soil conditions it encounters. This elevational positioning dictates the thermal and moisture availability to which the species must adapt to thrive within its natural habitat.

Elevational range max:

800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

400 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Anabasis setifera is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial, it establishes a robust presence within its ecological niche, undergoing cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive phases over an extended lifespan. This life cycle enables the plant to endure environmental fluctuations and accumulate resources, ensuring its long-term survival and ability to contribute to the population through successive flowering and seeding events.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Anabasis setifera is characterized by a versatile growth habit that spans aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial environments. Structurally, the plant manifests as a woody subshrub that maintains a self-supporting architecture, rather than acting as a climber. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic relationship with host plants. The physical build is defined by its woody texture, which supports its development as a low-growing, perennial subshrub.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Anabasis setifera is characterized by a highly specialized metabolic framework designed to facilitate survival in arid and semi-arid environments. Most notably, the plant utilizes a C4 photosynthetic pathway, a physiological adaptation that allows it to concentrate carbon dioxide around the enzyme Rubisco, thereby minimizing photorespiration and maximizing water-use efficiency. This C4 mechanism enables the species to maintain high rates of carbon fixation even under intense solar radiation and elevated temperatures, where traditional C3 plants might struggle with metabolic inefficiency. By decoupling the initial CO2 fixation from the Calvin cycle through specialized bundle sheath cells, the plant can keep its stomata partially closed to conserve moisture while still sustaining robust photosynthetic activity, providing a significant competitive advantage in water-limited ecosystems.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C4

Reproduction

The reproduction of Anabasis setifera is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle that dictates its reproductive success. The plant enters its flowering phase during the month of August, marking the commencement of its reproductive period. This period continues through the late summer and autumn months, eventually reaching its conclusion in November. Because the onset and duration of these stages can be subject to environmental factors, the exact timing of the flowering window remains variable within this seasonal range.

Flowering time :

Aug

Flowering time :

Nov

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Anabasis setifera has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betavulgaroside IV, Myricitrin, Spinacoside C.

Betavulgaroside IV

1. RSC advances

Myricitrin

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Spinacoside C

1. RSC advances

Conditions

Anabasis setifera has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include inflammation.

Inflammation

1. Archives of pharmacal research