Saharan myrtle

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Saharan myrtle

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

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. It is further classified within the order Myrtales and the family Myrtaeaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in the genus Myrtus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Myrtus nivellei, exhibits a specific geographical range across the African continent. Its distribution is primarily concentrated within the Northern Africa region. Specifically, it can be found growing in the territories of Algeria and Libya. Furthermore, the species extends its presence into the Northeast Tropical Africa region. This expansion reaches into the country of Chad, marking the extent of its natural habitat.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Myrtus nivellei is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a stable presence within its ecosystem. In terms of its growth architecture and survival strategy, the species exhibits a dual classification of life forms, manifesting as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte. This indicates that while it can develop more substantial, elevated woody structures typical of phanerophytes, it also maintains a compact growth habit characteristic of nanophanerophytes, where the stems remain relatively low to the ground.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Myrtus nivellei is characterized by a woody structure that provides a robust framework for its growth habit. It functions as a self-supporting climber, utilizing its physical architecture to ascend without requiring external hosts for structural stability. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, maintaining its own nutritional processes. Furthermore, it is a terrestrial plant, establishing its root systems and life cycle within the soil rather than living as an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Myrtus nivellei has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, leaf.

Flower

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Myrtus nivellei has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,8-Cineole, LIMONENE.

1,8-Cineole

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

LIMONENE

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Myrtus nivellei has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include dermatosis, diarrhea.

Dermatosis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diarrhea

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Myrtus nivellei has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include essential oil, essential oils.

Essential oil

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Essential oils

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology