Calicotome spinosa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed throughout the Mediterranean region of Southwestern Europe. It can be found growing across the diverse landscapes of France and Spain. Its presence is also noted on the island of Corse within the same general area. Furthermore, the species inhabits the Balearic Islands and the region of Sardegna. These specific locations define the core geographical range of this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Calicotome spinosa is characterized by its specialized adaptation to coastal environments, where it thrives in maritime landscapes often subject to salt spray and wind exposure. This species is frequently found in Mediterranean-type ecosystems, occupying rocky crevices, sandy shores, and scrublands that demand high tolerance for physiological drought and saline conditions. A critical component of its survival and nutrient acquisition strategy is its symbiotic relationship with soil fungi, as the plant forms mycorrhizal associations. The presence of these mycorrhizae is essential for enhancing the plant's ability to uptake water and essential minerals from nutrient-poor, sandy, or rocky substrates, thereby facilitating its persistence in challenging coastal habitats.

Habitat :

Coastal

Mycorrhiza :

yes

Life history

The life history of Calicotome spinosa is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategies, it exhibits a dual classification of life forms, functioning as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, which allows it to maintain visible woody structures above the ground. Furthermore, the species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Calicotome spinosa is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, which reaches a maximum plant height of approximately 3 meters. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte. The plant is strictly self-supporting, lacking any climbing or vine-like characteristics such as lianas. Furthermore, it grows as an independent organism rather than acting as a parasite.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Calicotome spinosa is characterized by a highly specialized metabolic and morphological profile adapted to its environment. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and transpiration rates. Structurally, its foliage is notably reduced, with a maximum leaf length of only 0.7 cm, a trait that likely serves as an adaptation to minimize water loss. Furthermore, the species demonstrates a significant capacity for nutrient acquisition through its ability to function as a nitrogen fixer, allowing it to thrive in nitrogen-limited soils by converting atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms.

Leaf length max:

0.7 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Calicotome spinosa is characterized by a reliance on sexual processes, as asexual reproduction is absent. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically involving insects, to facilitate fertilization. Following successful pollination, the development of the fruit results in a dry structure with a mean length of approximately 3.5 cm. The seeds produced are relatively uniform in size, with a consistent seed mass of 0.00747 g (representing the minimum, mean, and maximum values). Regarding the movement of offspring, the plant exhibits an unspecialized dispersal syndrome, lacking highly specific mechanisms for seed transport.

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length mean:

3.5 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass mean:

0.00747 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Calicotome spinosa 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 applied genetics

Chemicals

Calicotome spinosa has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include genistein.

genistein

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Calicotome spinosa has 72 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Abortifacient, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Antiaggregant, Antiangiogenic.

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Antiaggregant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiangiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiatherosclerotic

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer (Breast)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic (Breast)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticlimacteric

1. Dr. Duke

Antiendoccytotic

1. Dr. Duke