Cleome dodecandra

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Polanisia graveolens var. purpurascens
• Polanisia dodecandra subsp. riograndensis
• Polanisia graveolens var. cespitosa
• Polanisia graveolens var. simplex
• Gynandropsis viscosa
• Micambe violacea
• Cleome graveolens
• Cleome lusitanica
• Lagansa alba
• Jacksonia trifoliata
• Jacksonia dodecandra
• Sinapistrum violaceum
• Sinapistrum decandrum
• Polanisia dodecandra
• Polanisia graveolens
• Cleome epilobioides
• Polanisia graveolens var. elatior
• Polanisia graveolens var. glabriuscula

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Cleome dodecandra, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Brassicales. Furthermore, it is a member of the Cleomaceae family and falls under the genus Cleome.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide-ranging geographical distribution across several distinct global regions. In Middle Europe, its presence can be documented within the borders of Germany. Moving toward the Russian Far East, the species is found in the Primorye region. Its reach extends into Eastern Canada, specifically spanning the provinces of Ontario and Québec. Finally, the plant is also situated in the Northwestern U.S.A., particularly in the state of Colorado.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cleome dodecandra is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. As an annual species, it begins its life cycle when seeds germinate in response to favorable environmental conditions, rapidly developing a vegetative structure to establish its presence in its habitat. Following a period of vegetative growth, the plant transitions into its reproductive phase, producing inflorescences that lead to the maturation of seeds. Once the seeds are fully developed and dispersed, the individual plant reaches the end of its biological existence, ensuring the continuation of the species through the next generation of seeds that await the next seasonal cycle.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Cleome dodecandra is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial existence. The plant exhibits a self-supporting habit, lacking the climbing mechanisms of a liana or vine. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 0.9 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.9 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cleome dodecandra is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in various environmental conditions. Its vegetative structure is defined by specific foliar dimensions, where the leaves exhibit a significant range in size to facilitate gas exchange and light absorption. Specifically, the leaf length varies from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 5 cm, while the leaf width is constrained between a minimum of 0.6 cm and a maximum of 1.5 cm. These morphological parameters play a critical role in the plant's physiological regulation of transpiration and photosynthetic capacity.

Leaf length max:

5 cm

Leaf length min:

1.5 cm

Leaf width max:

1.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.6 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cleome dodecandra is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and specialized fruit development. The flowering period typically commences in June and concludes in September, though the timing can remain variable. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruit in the form of a capsule. This fruit is classified as dehiscence, meaning it is capable of splitting open at maturity to release its contents. The seeds produced within these capsules are quite small, with a mean seed mass of 0.003085 g. The individual seed weight exhibits slight variation, ranging from a minimum of 0.00259 g to a maximum of 0.00343 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit type :

capsule

Seed mass max:

0.00343 g

Seed mass mean:

0.003085 g

Seed mass min:

0.00259 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cleome dodecandra has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Polacandrin.

Polacandrin

1. Journal of natural products