Cape Moonseed Vine

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Cape Moonseed Vine

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Antizoma capensis
• Cissampelos fruticosa
• Cissampelos humilis
• Phyllanthus cinereoviridis
• Cissampelos capensis var. pulverulenta

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ranunculales, it is classified under the family Menispermaceae. It is specifically identified by its genus, Cissampelos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is indigenous to specific regions within the southern portion of the African continent. Its primary geographical range includes the Cape Provinces of Southern Africa. In addition to these coastal and inland areas, it can also be found extending into Namibia. This distribution pattern suggests that the species thrives in the unique ecological zones of these territories. Consequently, its presence is localized to these specific southern African landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cissampelos capensis is characterized by a broad adaptive capacity across diverse topographical gradients, allowing it to colonize a wide variety of habitats. It exhibits a significant elevational range, thriving in environments that span from sea level up to a maximum altitude of 1900 m AMSL. This vast vertical distribution suggests an ability to tolerate varying temperature regimes and moisture levels, ranging from coastal lowland regions to more temperate, montane ecosystems. Its presence across such a diverse altitudinal spectrum enables it to occupy various ecological niches, facilitating its integration into multiple vegetation types and landscapes.

Elevational range max:

1900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cissampelos capensis is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a climbing woody vine, it develops a robust structural framework that enables it to navigate through surrounding vegetation to access sunlight. Its life cycle involves a continuous process of vegetative growth and seasonal reproductive phases, where it produces small, inconspicuous flowers that facilitate sexual reproduction. Through its perennial nature, the plant can endure fluctuating environmental conditions, establishing a stable presence within its ecological niche and contributing to the long-term stability of its habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cissampelos capensis is characterized by a growth form that functions as both a shrub and a herb, displaying variable woodiness across its structure. It is an obligatory climber that thrives in terrestrial environments, rather than aquatic or epiphytic habitats. The plant maintains an independent parasitic status, meaning it does not rely on a host for nutrients. In terms of stature, its height is quite adaptable, typically ranging from a minimum of 0.4 m to a maximum of 2 m, with an average plant height of approximately 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.4 m

Woodiness :

variable

Physiology

The physiology of Cissampelos capensis is characterized by its specialized metabolic adaptations to various environmental stressors, particularly within its succulent or semi-succulent structures that facilitate water conservation. Its metabolic processes are primarily focused on efficient resource acquisition and nutrient cycling within its specific ecological niche. Regarding its interaction with soil nutrients, the plant does not exhibit the physiological capacity for symbiotic nitrogen fixation; it is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules or the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form. Consequently, its nitrogen uptake is entirely dependent on the availability of nitrates or ammonium ions within the soil substrate through its root system. This reliance necessitates a physiological dependency on soil organic matter and microbial decomposition for nitrogenous sustenance.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cissampelos capensis 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 rhizome, leaf, stem.

Rhizome

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Andrologia

Leaf

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Stem

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Cissampelos capensis has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 12-O-Methylcurine, Bulbocapnine, Cycleanine, Dicentrine, Insularine.

12-O-Methylcurine

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Bulbocapnine

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cycleanine

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Dicentrine

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Insularine

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Salutaridine

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Cissampelos capensis has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease

1. RSC advances