Spider Flower

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sieruela rutidosperma

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Brassicales. Finally, its taxonomic position is completed within the family Cleomaceae and the genus Cleome.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions in Africa and its surrounding islands. Within the Macaronesian archipelago, it can be found in Cape Verde. Its presence extends significantly into West Tropical Africa, where it is documented in Benin and Ghana. Additionally, the species inhabits the coastal areas of Guinea. Finally, its range includes the territory of Ivory Coast, completing its regional profile.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cleome rutidosperma is characterized by its ability to thrive in anthropized areas (Área Antrópica), often colonizing environments significantly modified by human activity. This species demonstrates a wide altitudinal adaptability, occupying a broad elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum altitude of 1000 m AMSL. Such a distribution suggests a high level of ecological plasticity, allowing it to persist in diverse disturbed landscapes across varying topographic gradients.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Cleome rutidosperma is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire biological progression from germination to seed production within a single growing season. Functioning as a therophyte, it survives the unfavorable periods primarily through the production of seeds, which remain dormant until environmental conditions become suitable for growth. This life strategy allows the species to rapidly colonize disturbed or open habitats, utilizing its short developmental period to exploit seasonal resources before the onset of senescence.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Cleome rutidosperma is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This plant typically exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit rather than acting as a vine or liana, and it functions as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, growing instead in soil-based environments. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a maximum height of approximately 1 meter, with a mean height of 0.8 meters and a minimum height observed around 0.61 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.8 m

Plant height min:

0.609607413 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cleome rutidosperma is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it utilizes the Calvin cycle for carbon fixation without the specialized adaptations found in C4 or CAM plants. This metabolic process involves the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO to form a three-carbon compound. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, lacking the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproductive cycle of Cleome rutidosperma is characterized by a highly flexible phenology, with flowering and fruiting periods that can occur throughout the year. While the onset of both flowering and fruiting is typically noted starting around March, the specific timing for the beginning and end of these stages remains variable across different months, including Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, and Dec. This temporal plasticity allows the plant to adapt to varying environmental conditions. Once the fruits are mature, the plant utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to facilitate the movement and spread of its seeds to new locations.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

Mar

Fruiting time :

Mar

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cleome rutidosperma 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. F1000Research

Chemicals

Cleome rutidosperma has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cardiac Glycosides, Flavonoids, Tannins, polyphenols.

Cardiac Glycosides

1. F1000Research

Flavonoids

1. F1000Research

Tannins

1. F1000Research

polyphenols

1. F1000Research

Conditions

Cleome rutidosperma has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, fungal diseases, malaria.

Cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fungal diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Cleome rutidosperma has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Aqueous and 70% ethanolic extracts of the leaves.

Aqueous and 70% ethanolic extracts of the leaves

1. F1000Research