African milkweed

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• African milkweed
• Narrow-leaf Cotton Bush
• Swan Plant
• Wild Cotton

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Asclepias fruticosa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianales, it is specifically situated in the family Apocynaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in the genus Gomphocarpus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the Mediterranean region of Southwestern Europe. It can be found growing in the Balearic Islands, which are part of the Baleares archipelago. The species is also documented within the territories of Corsica and France. Additionally, its presence extends to the coastal landscapes of Portugal. Finally, this medicinal plant inhabits the island of Sardegna.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Gomphoarpus fruticosus is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to elevations of 2100 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to various environmental conditions, frequently establishing itself in disturbed or nutrient-rich environments such as dumps, as well as in riparian zones near rivers.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

dump, rivers

Life history

The life history of Gomphoarpus fruticosus is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a phanerophyte, maintaining its perennuating buds well above the ground level, which supports its structural development. In terms of its foliage and seasonal adaptations, the species is classified as evergreen, retaining its leaves throughout the year rather than undergoing a period of seasonal shedding. While its botanical classification can vary depending on specific environmental niches, its primary growth habit is defined by these enduring and woody characteristics.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

therophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Gomphocarpus fruticosus is characterized by a woody, self-supporting growth habit, typically manifesting as a shrub or subshrub. This terrestrial plant exhibits an erect shoot orientation and grows independently without parasitic or epiphytic dependencies. In terms of stature, it is a medium-sized plant with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.4 m to a maximum of 4 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Plant height mean:

2 m

Plant height min:

0.4 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Gomphocarpus fruticosus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The vegetative structure is defined by elliptic-shaped leaves that exhibit significant morphological variation in size. These leaves typically maintain a mean length of 8 cm, with dimensions ranging from a minimum of 3.5 cm to a maximum of 14 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 0.4 cm and a maximum of 1.5 cm, maintaining a mean width of approximately 0.725 cm. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable biological form.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

14 cm

Leaf length mean:

8 cm

Leaf length min:

3.5 cm

Leaf width max:

1.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.725 cm

Leaf width min:

0.4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Gomphocarpum fruticosus is characterized by a sexual process through bisexual flowers, with asexual reproduction being entirely absent. The flowering period typically begins in June and concludes in September, featuring white flowers that range in length from 0.5 cm to a maximum of 0.83 cm. These flowers are arranged in inflorescences with lengths between 0.04 m and 0.06 m. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects for pollination, and self-fertilization is noted as absent. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a follicle. These fruits vary in size, with a mean length of 5.25 cm (ranging from 3 cm to 7.5 cm) and a mean width of 3 cm (ranging from 2.5 cm to 4.5 cm). Each fruit is highly productive, containing between 101 and 1000 seeds. The seeds themselves are small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.006577 g (ranging from 0.00615 g to 0.00827 g), a minimum length of 4.5 mm up to a maximum of 6.5 mm, and a width between 3.3 mm and 3.7 mm. Dispersal is achieved through an anemochorous syndrome, meaning the seeds are dispersed by the wind.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

white

Flower length max:

0.83 cm

Flower length min:

0.5 cm

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length max:

7.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

5.25 cm

Fruit length min:

3 cm

Fruit type :

follicle

Fruit width max:

4.5 cm

Fruit width mean:

3 cm

Fruit width min:

2.5 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.06 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.04 m

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length max:

6.5 mm

Seed length min:

4.5 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00827 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00657666666666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.00615 g

Seed width max:

3.7 mm

Seed width min:

3.3 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

101-1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Gomphocarpus fruticosus has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Conduritol F.

Conduritol F

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Conditions

Gomphocarpus fruticosus has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include urolithiasis.

Urolithiasis

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Preparations

Gomphocarpus fruticosus has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts, methanolic and aqueous extracts, water extracts.

Extracts

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Methanolic and aqueous extracts

1. Die Pharmazie

Water extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology