Caterpillar Bush

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Caterpillar Bush
• Hairy Caterpillar Pod

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Diphaca trichocarpa
• Saldania acanthocarpa
• Ormocarpum setosum

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 Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Ormocarpum, under the species name Ormocarpum trichocarpum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several key regions in the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, its distribution is specifically noted in Rwanda. Moving toward the northeastern part of the continent, it can be found in Ethiopia, Somalia, and the areas encompassing Sudan and South Sudan. Additionally, the species extends into East Tropical Africa, where it is present in Kenya. Together, these locations highlight the plant's significant range throughout various tropical African landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ormocarpum trichocarpum is defined by its adaptability to diverse vegetation structures and a broad altitudinal distribution. It is typically found thriving within dry or semi-evergreen bushland, as well as in wooded grassland and bushed grassland environments. This species occupies a significant vertical gradient in its natural landscape, ranging from low-lying areas at an elevation of 50 m AMSL to higher reaches reaching a maximum of 1550 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1550 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

50 m AMSL

Habitat :

dry or semi-evergreen bushland, wooded grassland, bushed grassland

Life history

The life history of Ormocarpum trichocarpum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a long-lived woody plant, it undergoes a continuous cycle of vegetative growth and reproductive phases, establishing a robust structural presence that can endure seasonal fluctuations. Its perennial nature facilitates a stable ecological role, enabling it to invest energy into complex root systems and perennial stems that support repeated flowering and seed production cycles over its lifespan.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ormocarpum trichocarpum is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as both a shrub and a tree. It is a terrestrial plant that grows independently, lacking parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. As a self-supporting climber, the plant exhibits significant verticality, with its height ranging from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 5 meters, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 3 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

3 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ormocarpum trichocarpum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. This metabolic strategy dictates its efficiency in gas exchange and water use under typical environmental conditions. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition processes, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, relying instead on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds present in the soil.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ormocarpum trichocarpum is primarily driven by the production of specialized seeds that facilitate its dispersal and propagation. Based on quantitative botanical data, the reproductive output of this species is characterized by highly uniform seed morphology, with a recorded seed mass that remains constant across samples. The seed mass exhibits a mean value of 0.00548 g, a figure that is mirrored by both the maximum and minimum observed seed mass values of 0.00548 g. This lack of variance in seed mass suggests a highly stabilized reproductive strategy, ensuring that each individual seed carries a consistent nutrient load to support early seedling development. Through this precise seed production, the plant ensures its ability to colonize suitable habitats and maintain its population density within its natural ecosystem.

Seed mass mean:

0.00548 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ormocarpum trichocarpum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Ormocarpum trichocarpum has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Alkanes, Bioflavonoids, Flavonoids, Saponins, Sesquiterpenes.

Alkanes

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Bioflavonoids

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Flavonoids

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Saponins

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Sesquiterpenes

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Tannins

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Activities

Ormocarpum trichocarpum has 8 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antimutagenic.

Antibacterial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Antifungal

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimutagenic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiplasmodial

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Emetic

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Mutagenic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Ormocarpum trichocarpum has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include erectile dysfunction, sexually transmitted infections.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations