Cullen plicatum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Psoralea odorata
• Psoralea obovata
• Munbya plicata
• Lotodes plicatum
• Psoralea plicata

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 is positioned in the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Cullen, specifically as the species Cullen plicatum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Cullen plicatum, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the North African region. It can be found growing within the borders of Algeria and Egypt. Its range also extends across the territories of Libya and Morocco. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit the landscape of Western Sahara. Collectively, these locations define its presence within the northernmost parts of the African continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cullen plicatum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its growth habit and ecological positioning, it is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the majority of the plant's vegetative biomass is situated close to the soil surface, often protected by leaf litter or minimal organic matter. This chamaephyte classification is consistent across its structural development, defining its strategy for survival and resource management within its specific habitat.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cullen plicatum is characterized by its growth form as a shrub, exhibiting a woody structure throughout its development. It functions as an independent organism, meaning it does not operate as a parasite. In terms of its climbing habit, it is classified as a self-supporting climber. The plant reaches a maximum height of approximately 1.22 meters, contributing to its overall structural profile.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.219214826 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cullen plicatum is characterized by its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic process where the first stable intermediate formed during carbon fixation is a three-carbon molecule. This pathway involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells, typically occurring under standard environmental conditions without the specialized spatial or temporal adaptations found in C4 or CAM plants. Consequently, its carbon assimilation efficiency and water-use strategies are governed by the inherent characteristics of C3 metabolism, making its physiological performance highly dependent on light intensity, ambient temperature, and moisture availability to balance the rate of photosynthesis against photorespiration.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cullen plicatum is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and specialized seed dispersal mechanisms. The plant's flowering period typically commences in March and concludes in April, although the timing can be variable across different months of the year. Following pollination, the plant produces seeds with a highly consistent mass, recorded at a mean, maximum, and minimum value of 0.00949 g. These seeds utilize a hydrochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning they are primarily transported by water to colonize new habitats.

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Apr

Seed mass mean:

0.00949 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cullen plicatum has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Plicatin B.

Plicatin B

1. Mutation research