Cleome aculeata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several distinct regions of the African continent and its surrounding islands. Within the Macaronesia archipelago, its distribution includes the islands of Cape Verde. Moving to the mainland, it is found throughout West Tropical Africa, specifically in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Additionally, its range extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it inhabits the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Together, these locations illustrate a broad geographical footprint spanning from island chains to central tropical forests.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cleome aculeta is characterized by its adaptability to diverse environments, ranging from sea level to higher altitudes. It thrives across an elevational gradient starting from 0 m AMSL and reaching a maximum elevation of 1500 m AMSL. This species is frequently found in anthropized areas (Área Antrópica), demonstrating a capacity to colonize disturbed landscapes. Additionally, its natural habitats include specialized ecosystems such as Campo de Vázea and the coastal Restinga formations, where it integrates into the specific soil and moisture dynamics of these niches.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campo de Várzea, Restinga

Life history

The life history of Cleome aculeta is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning it completes its entire biological development from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its structural growth habits and survival strategies, the species is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the permanent buds are located close to the soil surface, typically just above it. This specific positioning allows the plant to persist and thrive within its ecological niche through its specialized growth pattern.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Cleome aculeata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. The plant is a self-supporting organism, lacking any climbing or liana-like tendencies, and functions as an independent species without parasitic behavior. It is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, showing no aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies such as holoepiphytic or hemiepiphytic growth. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing plant, reaching a maximum height of approximately 0.6096 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.609607413 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cleome aculeata 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. Microscopy research and technique