Capparis sepiaria

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is well-documented across several distinct countries in this part of the continent. Specifically, it can be found growing in the territories of Benin and Burkina. The species also extends its range into Mali and Mauritania. Finally, its distribution encompasses the coastal and inland areas of Senegal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Capparis sepiaria is characterized by its adaptability to diverse landscape types, frequently colonizing riverine thickets, deciduous bushland, wooded or bushed grassland, forest margins, and coastal thicket environments. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, thriving across a significant vertical gradient that ranges from low-lying areas at 5 m AMSL to higher elevations reaching a maximum of 1435 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1435 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

5 m AMSL

Habitat :

riverine thickets, deciduous bushland, wooded or bushed grassland, forest margins, coastal thicket

Life history

The life history of Capparis sepulchri is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. Functioning as a phanerophyte, the species maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated branches, a trait further specified by its classification as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte depending on the specific growth stage or environmental conditions. Throughout its existence, the plant exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage year-round rather than shedding it seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Capparis separiaria is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub. It is a terrestrial plant that functions independently, showing no parasitic or epiphytic behavior. The plant exhibits significant variation in stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 6 m, maintaining a mean height of approximately 4.5 m. Regarding its climbing habit, it is classified as an obligatory climber, though it possesses self-supporting capabilities.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Plant height mean:

4.5 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Capparis sepiaria is characterized by a metabolic framework utilizing the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. Unlike plants that employ C4 or CAM mechanisms to minimize photorespiration, this species relies on standard atmospheric CO2 uptake, which influences its water-use efficiency and environmental adaptation. Furthermore, in terms of its nutrient acquisition capabilities, Capparis sepiaria is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and instead depends on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds directly from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Capparis sepiaria 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 complementary & integrative medicine

Conditions

Capparis sepiaria has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include aphthae.

Aphthae

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Capparis sepiaria has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Aqueous extracts.

Aqueous extracts

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine