Honeybush-tea

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• honeybush tea
• vlei tea
• Honey-Tea
• Honeybush-Tea
• Seep Honeybush-Tea
• Southern Honeybush
• Vlei Honeybush
• Vlei-Tea

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cyclopia vogelii var. subternata
• Cyclopia grandiflora
• Cyclopia grandifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales. Ultimately, it is a member of the Fabaceae family, falling under the genus Cyclopia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to the southern region of the African continent. Specifically, its natural habitat is located within the Cape Provinces. This area is characterized by unique biodiversity and specific environmental conditions. Consequently, the geographical range of Cyclopia subterrata is quite restricted to these provinces. Understanding this distribution is essential for the conservation of the species in its local ecosystem.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cyclopia subternata is defined by its adaptation to specific altitudinal gradients within its native habitat, thriving across a broad vertical distribution. This species is typically found inhabiting diverse landscapes at elevations ranging from a minimum of 155 m AMSL to a maximum of 1525 m AMSL. This wide elevational range suggests an ability to tolerate varying microclimates, ranging from lower, potentially warmer coastal or lowland environments to higher, more temperate montane zones. Such distribution patterns influence the specific soil types, moisture availability, and temperature fluctuations the plant encounters throughout its lifecycle.

Elevational range max:

1525 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

155 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cyclopia subterrata is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing the plant to persist in its natural habitat through multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived woody shrub, its lifecycle is marked by sustained vegetative growth and periodic reproductive phases, rather than the single-season cycle seen in annuals or the two-year cycle of biennials. This perennial nature enables the plant to establish a robust structural presence within its ecosystem, contributing to the stability of its environment over extended periods. Through its continuous lifecycle, it can withstand seasonal fluctuations, ensuring long-term survival and the ability to produce flowers and seeds across various years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cyclopia subterrata is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, which functions as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber. This plant is non-parasitic and exists as an independent organism, typically maintaining a terrestrial habit rather than an aquatic or epiphytic lifestyle. In terms of stature, the species exhibits a plant height that ranges from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 3 m, reflecting its robust, shrubby development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cyclopia subternata has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Scolymoside, Vicenin 2, Isomangiferin, Mangiferin.

Scolymoside

1. Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.]
2. BMB reports
3. Inflammation
4. Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology
5. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry

Vicenin 2

1. Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.]
2. Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis : an international journal in haemostasis and thrombosis
3. Inflammation
4. Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology

Isomangiferin

1. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry

Mangiferin

1. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry

Activities

Cyclopia subternata has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticoagulant, Antiplatelet.

Anticoagulant

1. BMB reports

Antiplatelet

1. BMB reports

Conditions

Cyclopia subternata has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include pain, adipogenesis, glucose, pulmonary injury.

Pain

1. Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.]
2. Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis : an international journal in haemostasis and thrombosis
3. BMB reports
4. Inflammation
5. Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology

Adipogenesis

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Glucose

1. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry

Pulmonary injury

1. Inflammation

Preparations

Cyclopia subternata has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Hot water and 40% ethanol-water (v/v) extracts, herbal teas, hot water extracts.

Hot water and 40% ethanol-water (v/v) extracts

1. Planta medica

Herbal teas

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Hot water extracts

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology