Cucumis pustulatus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cucumis figarei var. ficifolius

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Cucurbitaleales and the family Cucurbitaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is completed by its classification within the genus Cucumis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution spanning parts of Macaronesia and West Tropical Africa. Within the Macaronesian region, its presence is recorded in Cape Verde. Moving into West Tropical Africa, the species can be found across several different nations. Specifically, it inhabits the territories of Burkina, Mali, and Niger. Furthermore, the plant is also documented to grow within the borders of Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cucumis pustulatus is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural development and survival strategy, it is classified under the life form of a chamaephyte, indicating that its perennable buds are located close to the soil surface. This specific growth habit, consistent with both its chamaephyte classification across different botanical descriptors, enables the plant to endure varying environmental conditions while maintaining its ability to regrow and continue its biological processes over time.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cucumis pustulatus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. It functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing specialized structures to ascend supporting surfaces rather than being self-supporting. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior and maintains a terrestrial life habit, growing in soil rather than as an epiphyte.

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cucumis pustulatus is characterized by the production of seeds with highly specific morphological dimensions. The seed mass within a population exhibits subtle variations, with a calculated mean mass of 0.009403333 g. These individual seeds range in weight from a minimum of 0.00824 g to a maximum of 0.01038 g, reflecting a narrow distribution in reproductive output.

Seed mass max:

0.01038 g

Seed mass mean:

0.009403333 g

Seed mass min:

0.00824 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cucumis pustulatus has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Cardiac Glycosides, Saponins, Tannins, Terpenoid.

Flavonoids

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
2. PloS one

Cardiac Glycosides

1. PloS one

Saponins

1. PloS one

Tannins

1. PloS one

Terpenoid

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Conditions

Cucumis pustulatus has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include E. coli, MRSA, skin ulcers, urinary tract infections.

E. coli

1. International journal of microbiology

Mrsa

1. International journal of microbiology

Skin ulcers

1. International journal of microbiology

Urinary tract infections

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Preparations

Cucumis pustulatus has 4 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 80% methanol, 80% methanolic extraction, Aqueous extraction, essential oils.

80% methanol

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

80% methanolic extraction

1. PloS one

Aqueous extraction

1. PloS one

Essential oils

1. International journal of microbiology