Oxygonum sinuatum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ceratogonon sinuatum
• Ceratogonon cordofanum
• Diplopyramis aethiopica
• Oxygonum atriplicifolium var. sinuatum
• Oxygonum elongatum
• Oxygonum cordofanum

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 Caryophyllales, it is specifically situated in the family Polygonaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Oxygonum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad and diverse geographical distribution across several key regions. In the Macaronesian archipelago, it can be found specifically within Cape Verde. Its presence extends into West Tropical Africa, where it is documented in Niger. Moving into West-Central Tropical Africa, the species is established in both Burundi and Rwanda. Finally, the distribution continues deep into the heart of the continent within the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Oxygonum sinuatum is characterized by its broad adaptability to various topographical gradients, allowing it to inhabit diverse montane and lowland environments. This species exhibits a significant altitudinal plasticity, thriving across a wide vertical distribution that spans from as low as 10 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 1646 m AMSL. This extensive elevational range suggests that the plant can tolerate a variety of microclimates, varying temperature regimes, and moisture availability found between coastal or lowland plains and higher-altitude montane regions. Such ecological flexibility enables it to occupy various niches within its native habitat, facilitating its presence across diverse landscapes.

Elevational range max:

1646 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

10 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Oxygonum sinuatum is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, meaning it completes its entire biological cycle—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. In terms of its structural growth habit and survival strategy, the species is categorized as a therophyte, a life form that survives unfavorable environmental periods primarily in the form of seeds. This strategy allows the plant to persist in transient or seasonal habitats, where it rapidly utilizes available resources to reach maturity and reproduce before the onset of harsh conditions.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Oxygonum sinuatum is characterized by its growth as a non-woody herb, exhibiting a life form that is primarily terrestrial rather than aquatic or epiphytic. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite. The plant displays a self-supporting climbing habit, though it maintains a relatively low stature; its height typically ranges from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.6 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.85 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height mean:

0.85 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Oxygonum sinuatuum is characterized by specialized metabolic processes adapted to its specific ecological niche, though it does not possess the biological mechanisms required for atmospheric nitrogen sequestration. Specifically, regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium or Frankia, typically found in specialized root nodules. Instead, its nitrogen requirements are met through the uptake of nitrate or ammonium ions from the surrounding soil substrate via active transport systems in the root hairs. Its physiological performance is heavily reliant on the availability of soil nitrogen levels to support the synthesis of amino acids, proteins, and chlorophyll, which are essential for its photosynthetic efficiency and overall biomass production.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

Reproduction in Oxygonum sinuatuum is characterized by the production of specialized seeds that facilitate its propagation. Based on botanical data, the seeds produced by this species exhibit a highly consistent mass, with a mean seed mass of 0.00886 g. This uniformity is reflected in the extreme precision of its reproductive output, as both the maximum and minimum recorded seed masses are identical at 0.00886 g. This lack of variance in seed mass suggests a highly stabilized reproductive strategy, ensuring that each seed carries a specific, standardized nutrient load necessary for the development of new seedlings.

Seed mass mean:

0.00886 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Oxygonum sinuatum has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Coleon A lactone, emodin.

Coleon A lactone

1. PloS one

emodin

1. PloS one

Preparations

Oxygonum sinuatum has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include East African medicinal plant extracts.

East african medicinal plant extracts

1. PloS one