African Haap

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• African Haap
• Bryony
• Cape Bryony

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rhynchocarpa africana
• Rhynchocarpa dissecta
• Kedrostis digitata
• Kedrostis glauca
• Kedrostis grossulariifolia
• Coniandra africana
• Coniandra pinnatisecta
• Coniandra punctulata
• Coniandra digitata
• Coniandra dissecta
• Coniandra glauca
• Coniandra grossulariifolia
• Cyrtonema digitatum
• Bryonia grossularifolia
• Bryonia digitata
• Bryonia dissecta
• Bryonia ciliata
• Bryonia multifida
• Bryonia africana

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Kedrostis africana, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Cucurbitales. Finally, it is a member of the family Cucurbitaceae and is categorized under the genus Kedrostis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found throughout various regions of Southern Africa. Its distribution includes the diverse landscapes of the Cape Provinces. It can also be located within the borders of Namibia. Furthermore, the species thrives in the areas of KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State. Finally, its presence extends into the Northern Provinces of the region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Kedrostis africana is characterized by its ability to inhabit a diverse range of topographical environments across its distribution. The species displays significant adaptability regarding altitude, occupying a broad vertical niche that spans from lowland areas to high-altitude montane regions. Specifically, its elevational range extends from a minimum of 190 m AMSL to a maximum of 2115 m AMSL. This wide altitudinal gradient suggests that the plant can tolerate varying climatic conditions, including fluctuations in temperature, atmospheric pressure, and moisture availability associated with different elevations.

Elevational range max:

2115 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

190 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Kedrostis africana is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, meaning it survives for multiple years throughout its biological existence. Unlike annuals that complete their life cycle in a single growing season or biennials that require two years, this plant maintains its presence in its habitat over an extended period, often exhibiting variable growth patterns depending on environmental conditions. This perennial nature allows the plant to establish a robust presence, undergoing successive cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive phases across various seasons.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Kedrostis africana is characterized by its growth form as a herb, manifesting as a climbing plant that functions as an obligatory climber. It exhibits a variable degree of woodiness and can reach a significant plant height, ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 6 m. Although it can inhabit various environments, its ecological status is described as terrestrial, rather than being strictly aquatic or semiaquatic, and it grows as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. Furthermore, it is classified as a terrestrial species rather than an epiphyte.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

variable

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Kedrostis africana has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Lipase.

Lipase

1. Heliyon

Activities

Kedrostis africana has 5 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiobesity, Cytotoxic, Diuretic, Emetic, Purgative.

Antiobesity

1. Heliyon

Cytotoxic

1. Heliyon

Diuretic

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Emetic

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Purgative

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Conditions

Kedrostis africana has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include obesity, dropsy.

Obesity

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
2. Heliyon

Dropsy

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Preparations

Kedrostis africana has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous and ethanol extracts of Kedrostis africana tuber, aqueous extract, ethanol extract.

Aqueous and ethanol extracts of kedrostis africana tuber

1. Heliyon

Aqueous extract

1. Heliyon

Ethanol extract

1. Heliyon