Devil's Claws

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• devil's-claw
• iceplant
• small-fruit devil's-claw
• tiger's-claw
• Cat's Claw
• una de gato
• Devil's claw

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Carpoceras longiflora
• Proboscidea jussieui
• Martynia jussieui
• Disteira angulosa
• Martynia angulosa
• Martynia pallida

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 Lamiales, it is specifically situated in the family Martyniaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Martynia, with the species name annua.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution spanning across multiple regions of Africa and the Indian Ocean. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in several countries including Benin and Burkina. It is also found within the borders of Nigeria and Togo. Beyond the African mainland, the species extends its range to the Western Indian Ocean. Specifically, this medicinal plant can be located on the island of Mauritius.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Martynia annua is characterized by its ability to thrive in diverse environments, ranging from disturbed areas such as roadsides to more stable settings like forests. This species exhibits a broad vertical distribution across significant altitudinal gradients, with a minimum elevation of 500 m AMSL and a maximum reaching up to 7500 m AMSL. On average, the plant is found at a mean elevation of 4000 m AMSL, demonstrating a remarkable capacity for adaptation to varying topographical and climatic conditions within its established habitats.

Elevational range max:

7500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

4000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Habitat :

roadsides, forest

Life history

The life history of Martynia annua is characterized by its status as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, the plant survives the unfavorable seasons in the form of seeds, which remain dormant until environmental conditions become conducive to growth. This life form strategy allows it to rapidly exploit available resources during its brief period of activity, ensuring reproductive success before the onset of seasonal stress.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Martynia annua is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. This independent, non-parasitic plant is terrestrial in its ecological habit, rather than aquatic or epiphytic, and functions as a self-supporting organism without the need for climbing structures like lianas or vines. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits a significant range in height, with individuals measuring as little as 0.25 m and reaching a maximum height of approximately 1.83 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.828822238 m

Plant height min:

0.25 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological development of Martynia annua is characterized by significant morphological variability in its foliar structures, which serve as the primary sites for photosynthetic activity. The leaves exhibit a diverse range of dimensions, with leaf lengths typically measuring a mean of 15.5 cm, though they can vary from a minimum of 7 cm to a maximum of 22 cm. This variability is mirrored in the leaf width, which shows a mean dimension of 14.5 cm, fluctuating between a minimum of 6 cm and a maximum of 20 cm. Such fluctuations in leaf surface area suggest an adaptive physiological capacity to optimize light interception and gas exchange within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

22 cm

Leaf length mean:

15.5 cm

Leaf length min:

7 cm

Leaf width max:

20 cm

Leaf width mean:

14.5 cm

Leaf width min:

6 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Martynia annua is characterized by the development of specialized fruit structures that facilitate seed dispersal. The plant produces a capsule-type fruit that is notably dehiscence, meaning it splits open at maturity to release its contents. These capsules exhibit specific morphological dimensions, with an average length of 3.75 cm (ranging from a minimum of 3.5 cm to a maximum of 4 cm) and an average width of 2.25 cm (varying between a minimum of 2 cm and a maximum of 2.5 cm). Within these capsules, the seeds are produced with a mean mass of 1.2411 g, falling within a narrow range from a minimum of 1.224 g to a maximum of 1.2582 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Fruit length max:

4 cm

Fruit length mean:

3.75 cm

Fruit length min:

3.5 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

2.5 cm

Fruit width mean:

2.25 cm

Fruit width min:

2 cm

Seed mass max:

1.2582 g

Seed mass mean:

1.2411 g

Seed mass min:

1.224 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Martynia annua has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROGENIC ACID, Gallic acid, Morroniside, Sweroside, Swertiamarin.

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Gallic acid

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Morroniside

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Sweroside

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Swertiamarin

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

ZN

1. Biological trace element research

ferulic acid

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

myricetin

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

protocatechuic acid

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Activities

Martynia annua has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Medicinal Uses

Martynia annua has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include abiotic stress, liver diseases, obesity.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations