Pale Eriosema

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Pale Eriosema
• Pale Yellow Eriosema

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae and specifically belongs to the genus Eriosema.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found throughout the diverse landscapes of Southern Africa. Its distribution begins in the various Cape Provinces, where it occupies specific ecological niches. Additionally, the species can be located within the subtropical regions of KwaZulu-Natal. It also extends its reach into the interior regions of the Free State. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant includes the Northern Provinces.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Eriosema kraussianum is defined by its remarkable adaptability to diverse altitudinal gradients, allowing it to occupy a wide spectrum of environmental conditions. It thrives across a vast vertical range, establishing itself in habitats situated as low as 30 m AMSL and extending its presence up to high-altitude reaches of 2440 m AMSL. This broad elevational distribution suggests that the species can tolerate significant variations in temperature, atmospheric pressure, and moisture availability, spanning from lowland tropical or subtropical settings to montane ecosystems. Such a wide ecological niche enables the plant to persist in various topographical landscapes, making it a resilient component of the diverse biological communities found throughout its varying altitudinal zones.

Elevational range max:

2440 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

30 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Eriosema kraussianum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. This longevity allows the plant to establish a stable presence within its ecosystem, undergoing various developmental stages that include vegetative growth, flowering, and seed production over several years. As a perennial, it possesses the biological capacity to survive seasonal fluctuations and environmental stressors, often utilizing established root systems or woody structures to re-emerge and continue its reproductive efforts in subsequent cycles.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Eriosema kraussianum is characterized by its growth form as a herb, exhibiting a self-supporting habit rather than acting as a climber. This plant is non-parasitic, functioning as an independent organism, and is primarily terrestrial in its ecological niche, though it can exist within aquatic and semiaquatic habitats. In terms of stature, it is a relatively small species, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.25 m to a maximum of 0.4 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height min:

0.25 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Eriosema kraussianum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include K1, K2, Kraussianone 2.

K1

1. Phytochemistry

K2

1. Phytochemistry

Kraussianone 2

1. Phytochemistry

Conditions

Eriosema kraussianum has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include erectile dysfunction, impotence.

Erectile dysfunction

1. Phytochemistry

Impotence

1. Phytochemistry