Desmidorchis penicillata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Caralluma penicillata
• Echidnopsis golathi
• Caralluma robusta
• Ceropegia penicillata
• Boucerosia penicillata
• Caralluma penicillata var. robusta

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 Gentianaales. Finally, it is a member of the family Apocynaceae and falls under the genus Desmidorchis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution centered within the Northeast Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented across several distinct countries, including Djibouti and Eritrea. Furthermore, it can be found throughout the diverse landscapes of Ethiopia and Somalia. The species also extends its range into the territories of both Sudan and South Sudan. Consequently, its habitat is concentrated within this particular corner of the African continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Desmidorchis penicillata 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 as a therophyte, a life form where the plant completes its seasonal cycle and survives unfavorable periods primarily through specialized seeds or ephemeral structures. This botanical strategy ensures its ability to colonize and maintain its presence within its specific ecological niche over long durations.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Desmidorchis penicillata is characterized by its growth form as a herb, lacking any woody structure and instead exhibiting a non-woody constitution. As a terrestrial organism, it lives as an independent species, neither functioning as a parasite nor as an epiphyte.

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Desmidorchis penicillata is characterized by specific adaptations to its environmental niche, most notably regarding its water management strategies. In terms of its morphological and functional water storage capabilities, the plant exhibits a variable approach to succulence; while it possesses certain physiological mechanisms to manage moisture, the expression of succulence is not uniform across all its tissues, effectively meaning that the presence of this trait can be categorized as both yes and no depending on the specific vegetative state or environmental conditions encountered. This nuanced physiological response allows the plant to modulate its internal water potential and metabolic rate in response to fluctuating hydration levels in its habitat.

Succulence :

yes

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Desmidorchis penicillata has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiplasmodial.

Antiplasmodial

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Preparations

Desmidorchis penicillata has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include chloroform fraction, defatted ethanol extract, methanol.

Chloroform fraction

1. Phytochemistry

Defatted ethanol extract

1. Phytochemistry

Methanol

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM