double-claw

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• double-claw
• pumpkinvine
• unicorn-plant
• yellow-flower devil's-claw
• Yellow Devil's Claw
• Yellow Martynia
• Yellow Unicorn-plant

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Proboscidea lutea
• Martynia lutea var. nelsoniana
• Martynia lutea
• Martynia nelsoniana
• Martynia montevidensis
• Ibicella nelsoniana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Lamiales and the family Martyniaceae. Finally, its specific classification is defined by the genus Ibicella.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several European regions. In Middle Europe, it can be found growing in Austria, Germany, and Belgium. Its presence extends into Southwestern Europe, where it is documented in France. Additionally, the species inhabits the island of Sardegna within the same southwestern territory. Together, these locations highlight the varied habitats where the plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ibicella lutea is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 500 m AMSL. Its distribution is notably flexible, as it inhabits both natural and disturbed environments, specifically occurring within Campo de Altitude landscapes as well as in Área Antrópica (anthropogenic areas). This indicates a capacity to adapt to both specialized high-altitude grassland ecosystems and human-influenced habitats.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campo de Altitude

Life history

The life history of Ibicella lutea is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it functions as an ephemeral organism that survives the unfavorable seasons in the form of seeds, which remain dormant in the soil until environmental conditions become optimal for growth. This life form strategy allows the plant to quickly exploit seasonal moisture and nutrient availability, rapidly progressing through its vegetative and reproductive stages before the onset of drought or temperature extremes.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Ibicella lutea is characterized by a herbaceous growth form, specifically classified as a forb. This non-woody plant is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, neither aquatic nor epiphytic. As a self-supporting organism, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it maintains an independent existence rather than acting as a parasite. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits a relatively modest height, with individuals typically reaching a mean height of 0.5 m, though its size can range from a minimum of 0.44 m to a maximum of 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0.44 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ibicella lutea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation mechanisms. The plant's vegetative structure includes leaves that vary significantly in dimensions, typically measuring between 7 cm and 12 cm in length, with widths ranging from a minimum of 7 cm to a maximum of 19 cm. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on the availability of nitrogen within the soil rather than through symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Leaf length max:

12 cm

Leaf length min:

7 cm

Leaf width max:

19 cm

Leaf width min:

7 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ibicella lutea is characterized by the development of a specialized fruit type classified as a capsule. This fruit structure is designed to facilitate the dispersal of seeds through a dehiscence mechanism, meaning it is a dehiscent fruit that splits open at maturity to release its contents.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Fruit type :

capsule

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ibicella lutea has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,3-Diacetyl-24-epi-polacandrin, 3-Acetyl-24-epi-polacandrin, Docosanoic acid, EICOSANOIC ACID, apigenin.

1,3-Diacetyl-24-epi-polacandrin

1. Journal of natural products

3-Acetyl-24-epi-polacandrin

1. Journal of natural products

Docosanoic acid

1. Phytochemistry

EICOSANOIC ACID

1. Phytochemistry

apigenin

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations