Pitch Trefoil

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Pitch Trefoil
• arabian pea

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aspalthium bituminosum
• Lotodes bituminosum
• Rhynchodium bituminosum
• Psoralea bituminosa
• Bipontinia bituminosa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is categorized under the order Fabales and is a member of the Fabaceae family. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Bituminaaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several distinct regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, its presence can be specifically noted within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is found inhabiting parts of Germany. The distribution extends further into Southwestern Europe, where it grows in the Baleares and Corsica. Additionally, the plant is commonly documented throughout France.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bituminaria bituminosa is characterized by its adaptation to diverse topographical landscapes, primarily thriving within hills and mountain regions. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying a wide vertical range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum elevation of 1250 m AMSL. This wide elevational range allows the plant to inhabit various microclimates found across sloping terrains and montane environments.

Elevational range max:

1250 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

hills, mountains

Life history

The life history of Bituminaria bituminosa is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem across multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit and survival strategy, it is classified as a hemicryptophyte, meaning that its perennial buds are located at the soil surface or just below it, protected by leaf litter or the substrate during unfavorable conditions. This life form, consistent across both its biological classifications as a hemicryptophyte and its specific growth strategy, allows the species to persist through seasonal changes and regenerate effectively from its protected base.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bituminaria bituminosa is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. This plant is a self-supporting species, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial lifestyle across its habitats. It does not exhibit climbing habits, such as lianas or vines, and instead grows upright with a stature that typically ranges from a minimum height of 0.2 m to a maximum height of 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bituminaria bituminosa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which facilitates carbon fixation through the standard Calvin cycle typical of many temperate medicinal species. Its vegetative morphology is defined by distinct leaf characteristics, where the leaf form is predominantly elliptic. The dimensions of these leaves exhibit significant variability, with a minimum leaf length of 1.2 cm and a maximum length reaching up to 9 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width ranges from a narrow minimum of 0.3 cm to a maximum width of 3 cm, contributing to the overall surface area available for light interception and gas exchange.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

9 cm

Leaf length min:

1.2 cm

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width min:

0.3 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bituminaria bituminosa is characterized by a flowering period that typically commences in April and extends through July, though the timing can be variable. During this reproductive phase, the plant produces distinct violet-colored flowers. Following pollination, the development of the fruit results in a dry, dehiscence-type pod. These fruits exhibit specific dimensions, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 1.3 cm to a maximum of 1.9 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds are produced with a mean mass of approximately 0.0281 g, though individual seed weights can vary from a minimum of 0.00951 g to a maximum of 0.0482 g. Once mature, the plant utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on wind to facilitate the spread of its seeds.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

violet

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

1.9 cm

Fruit length min:

1.3 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Seed mass max:

0.0482 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0281416668333333 g

Seed mass min:

0.00951 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Bituminaria bituminosa 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 complementary & integrative medicine

Chemicals

Bituminaria bituminosa has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Furanocoumarins, Isoflavones, Angelicin, Bitucarpin A.

Flavonoids

1. Scientific reports
2. Journal of infection in developing countries
3. Frontiers in plant science
4. Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany)

Furanocoumarins

1. Frontiers in plant science
2. Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany)

Isoflavones

1. Scientific reports
2. Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany)

Angelicin

1. Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany)

Bitucarpin A

1. Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany)

Carotenoids

1. Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany)

Chlorophylls

1. Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany)

Erybraedin C

1. Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany)

Plicatin B

1. Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany)

Psoralene

1. Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany)

Activities

Bituminaria bituminosa has 7 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antihyperglycemic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Diuretic.

Anticancer

1. Scientific reports

Antihyperglycemic

1. Scientific reports

Antimicrobial

1. Scientific reports

Antioxidant

1. Scientific reports

Diuretic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hepatoprotective

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Vulnerary

1. Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany)

Medicinal Uses

Bituminaria bituminosa has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include disinfectant.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations