Chrozophora plicata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the African continent. In Northern Africa, its presence is documented within the borders of Egypt. Moving towards the West Tropical African region, it can be found in Burkina, Mali, and Mauritania. Additionally, the species extends its range further south into Nigeria. Together, these locations define the primary geographical spread of Chrozophora plicata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Crozophoria plicata is characterized by its adaptation to low-lying tropical or subtropical environments, specifically thriving within a constrained altitudinal niche. This species is primarily found in lowland habitats, with its distribution strictly limited to lower elevations that do not exceed an elevational range max of 215 m AMSL. Such a narrow vertical distribution suggests a dependency on the specific humidity, temperature stability, and soil compositions found in these near-sea-level ecosystems. Its presence is typically associated with the forest understory or shaded margins of lowland vegetation, where the microclimate remains consistent with the environmental demands of its specific altitudinal bracket.

Elevational range max:

215 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Chrozophora plicata is characterized by a lifecycle that is classified as annual, meaning it completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its structural growth habit, the plant functions as a therophyte, completing its life cycle through the production of seeds that allow it to persist in the environment despite the death of the individual plant at the end of the season. This life form is further defined by its classification as a therophyte, emphasizing its strategy of avoiding unfavorable environmental conditions by existing as a dormant seed during non-growth periods.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Crozophoria plicata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is self-supporting rather than being a climber, liana, or vine. Regarding its stature, it maintains a relatively low profile with a plant height that ranges from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.5 m, resulting in a mean height of approximately 0.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Chrozophora plicata is characterized by specialized adaptations to arid and semi-arid environments, focusing on efficient water management and metabolic resilience. Its physiological processes are optimized to maintain cellular homeostasis under high thermal stress and limited moisture availability. In terms of nutrient cycling and soil interaction, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; specifically, it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, meaning its nitrogen acquisition is strictly dependent on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil substrate. This metabolic profile dictates its growth patterns and its role within its ecosystem, as it relies on existing soil nutrient pools rather than actively enriching the soil through biological nitrogen fixation.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Chrozophora plicata 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. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Preparations

Chrozophora plicata has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude ethanolic extract, fresh shoots.

Crude ethanolic extract

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Fresh shoots

1. Veterinary and human toxicology