Needle Bush

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Needle Bush
• Bee-Sting
• Bee-Sting Bush
• Beehanger
• Beesting
• Four Thorns
• Four-Fingers
• Four-Thorns
• Stink Bush

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Monetia tetracantha
• Monetia barlerioides
• Azima spinosissima
• Fagonia montana
• Azima tetracantha var. laxior
• Kandena spinosa
• Azima tetracantha var. pubescens

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Brassicales, it is further categorized into the family Salvadoraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Azima, specifically the species Azima tetracantha.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical range across several distinct regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in Burundi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Moving toward the northeast, the species can also be found within the borders of Somalia. Additionally, its distribution extends into East Tropical Africa, specifically in Kenya. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in diverse tropical environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Azyma tetracantha is defined by its preference for specialized, low-lying coastal and riparian environments. It thrives in diverse niche habitats, including sea-dunes, the edges of mangrove forests, and various swamp or riverine margins. The species shows a particular affinity for growing on saline or alkaline soils, which dictates its distribution within these wetland and coastal ecosystems. Geographically, its vertical distribution is strictly limited to low altitudes, occupying an elevational range that begins at 5 m AMSL and reaches a maximum of 1000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

5 m AMSL

Habitat :

sea-dunes, mangrove edges, swamp edges or riverine, especially on slaine or alkaline soils

Life history

The life history of Azyma tetracantha is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain a stable presence within its ecological niche. Throughout its developmental stages, it maintains a consistent vegetative state as an evergreen species, retaining its foliage year-round rather than undergoing a seasonal shedding process. This combination of a long-lived life cycle and continuous leaf retention enables the plant to engage in photosynthesis over extended periods, supporting its ongoing growth and survival across successive years.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Azyma tetracantha is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub. As a terrestrial plant, it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting in its structure and does not exhibit climbing habits. In terms of stature, it shows significant variation in size, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.4 m to a maximum of 8 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 2.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height mean:

2.5 m

Plant height min:

0.4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Aziama tetracantha is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and metabolic efficiency in relation to environmental CO2 concentrations. This plant does not utilize the C4 or CAM pathways, meaning its initial carboxylation is performed by the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, lacking the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds directly from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Azyma tetracantha is characterized by specific physiological parameters and a distinct breeding system. The plant does not exhibit self-fertilization, as the trait is recorded as absent, suggesting a reliance on cross-pollination mechanisms to ensure genetic diversity. The resulting seeds demonstrate a highly consistent volume, with both the minimum and maximum recorded values, as well as the mean, fixed at 57 mm³. In terms of weight, the seeds show greater variability; the mass of an individual seed ranges from a minimum of 0.0286 g to a maximum of 0.08037 g, with an overall mean seed mass of 0.054485 g.

Seed mass max:

0.08037 g

Seed mass mean:

0.054485 g

Seed mass min:

0.0286 g

Seed volume max:

57 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Azima tetracantha 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 root.

Root

1. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine

Chemicals

Azima tetracantha has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, polyphenols.

Flavonoids

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

polyphenols

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Medicinal Uses

Azima tetracantha has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include acute renal failure, breast cancer, diarrhea, rheumatism.

Most Reported Uses