zigzag caperbush

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• zigzag caperbush

Scientific Names

Accepted name

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 classified under the order Brassicales and the family Capparaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Capparis, specifically as the species Capparis erythrocarpos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing in the diverse landscapes of Benin and Burkina Faso. Additionally, the species is present across the territories of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Its range also extends into the country of Guinea, marking its presence in these neighboring nations. Collectively, these locations define the primary natural habitat for Capparis erythrocarpos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Capparis erythrocarpos is characterized by its preference for specific landscape mosaics, primarily occurring within bushed or wooded grasslands. It frequently establishes itself in riparian zones, often found growing along the margins of rivers where moisture availability is more consistent. This preference for transitional habitats between open grasslands and wooded areas allows the plant to thrive in environments that offer a balance of sunlight and seasonal water access, typically within semi-arid to subtropical ecosystems.

Habitat :

bushed or wooded grassland, often along rivers

Life history

The life history of Capparis erythrocarpos is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, specifically manifesting through the growth forms of both nanophanerophyte and phanerophyte. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its perennating buds high above the soil surface, protected by its woody structural development. Depending on its specific environmental niche and developmental stage, its life history may transition between the more compact, low-growing habits of a nanophanerophyte and the more substantial, taller structural forms of a standard phanerophyte. This life strategy allows the species to persist through seasonal changes by protecting its vital regenerative tissues on elevated branches, ensuring long-term survival and the ability to re-establish its canopy following periods of dormancy or environmental stress.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Capparis erythrocarpos is characterized by a woody structure that exhibits versatile growth forms, manifesting as both a shrub and a tree. This plant typically reaches a mean height of approximately 8 m and functions as an obligatory climber in the form of a liana. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte, nor does it possess aquatic or semiaquatic adaptations. Furthermore, the plant is an independent organism, functioning without parasitic dependencies.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Capparis erythrocarpos is characterized by its specific metabolic adaptations to its environmental niche, most notably through its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway. As a C3 plant, the carbon fixation process begins with the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) by the enzyme RuBisCO, leading to the immediate formation of a three-carbon compound, 3-phosphoglycerate. This pathway dictates the plant's gas exchange dynamics and water-use efficiency, as the stomata must remain open for CO2 uptake, which inherently increases transpiration rates. The physiological regulation of its photosynthetic apparatus is closely linked to its ability to manage light interception and nutrient uptake to support its growth cycles. Furthermore, its physiological processes include complex hormonal signaling and osmotic adjustments that allow it to maintain cellular turgor and metabolic stability during periods of varying environmental stress.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Capparis erythrocarpos has 3 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 root, leaf, stem.

Root

1. Biochemistry research international
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Capparis erythrocarpos has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Daucosterol.

Daucosterol

1. Biochemistry research international

Activities

Capparis erythrocarpos has 2 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antiarthritic.

Analgesic

1. Biochemistry research international
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiarthritic

1. Biochemistry research international
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Capparis erythrocarpos has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include analgesic, pain, rheumatoid arthritis.

Analgesic

1. Biochemistry research international

Pain

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rheumatoid arthritis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Capparis erythrocarpos has 3 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaf extract, root extracts, stem extracts.

Leaf extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Root extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Stem extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology