Crotalaria microphylla

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is a member of the Fabaceae family and is identified by the genus Crotalaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent and its surrounding islands. In Northern Africa, its presence is noted within the borders of Egypt. Its range extends into Macaronesia, specifically inhabiting the islands of Cape Verde. Within West Tropical Africa, the species can be found in both Mauritania and Niger. Finally, its distribution reaches into Northeast Tropical Africa, where it is documented in Chad.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Crotalaria microphylla is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire biological progression from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, its survival strategy relies on the production of hardy seeds that remain dormant in the soil during unfavorable conditions, allowing the species to emerge and flourish rapidly when environmental circumstances become optimal. This life form indicates that the majority of the plant's vegetative structure dies off at the end of its seasonal cycle, leaving only the seeds to ensure the continuity of the next generation.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Crotalaria microphylla is characterized by its growth habit and structural organization, functioning as a terrestrial organism rather than an epiphyte. As a terrestrial plant, it establishes itself within the soil substrate to secure nutrients and stability, lacking the specialized adaptations required for an epiphytic lifestyle. In terms of its nutritional strategy, the species functions as an independent organism, meaning it does not exhibit parasitic behavior; it is neither an obligatory nor a facultative parasite, but rather operates through its own metabolic processes without relying on a host for sustenance.

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Crotalaria microphylla has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Biological research

Preparations

Crotalaria microphylla has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts.

Extracts

1. Biological research