Diarrhoea Rose

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Diarrhoea Rose
• Wolwekos

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ichthyosma wehdemannii
• Ichthyosma weinmannii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized into the order Santalales and the family Balanophoraceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Sarcophyte, specifically as the species Sarcophyte sanguinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across the southern portion of the African continent. In South Tropical Africa, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Mozambique. Moving into Southern Africa, it can be found extensively throughout the Cape Provinces. Its distribution also extends to the coastal and inland regions of KwaZulu-Natal. Finally, the species is documented within the Northern Provinces of Southern Africa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sarcophyte sanguinea is characterized by its specialized parasitic lifestyle and specific altitudinal preferences. This species thrives within diverse ecosystems, specifically inhabiting woodland and riverine forest environments. It functions as a root parasite, establishing its presence by parasitising the roots of various host plant genera, including Hyphaene, Commiphora, Faidherbia, Acacia, Ficus, and Mimusops. Its distribution is vertically constrained within a distinct elevational range, occurring from a minimum altitude of 60 m AMSL up to a maximum of 1800 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

60 m AMSL

Habitat :

woodland and riverine forest, parasitising roots of Hyphaene, Commiphora, Faidherbia, Acacia, Ficus, Mimusops

Life history

The life history of Sarcophyte sanguinea is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it avoids the complete mortality typically seen at the end of a single growing cycle, instead establishing a stable presence that enables it to accumulate biomass and reproductive structures over time. This sustained longevity supports its role within its ecological niche, as it can endure seasonal fluctuations and continue its developmental processes across successive years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sarcophyton sanguineum is characterized by a low-growing, herbaceous growth form, typically functioning as a non-woody plant. It is primarily a terrestrial species rather than an aquatic or semiaquatic one, and it maintains a self-supporting structure without the need for climbing or epiphytic habits. The plant exhibits a compact stature, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 0.3 m. Furthermore, it operates as an independent organism, lacking any obligatory parasitic relationship with other species.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

obligatory

Plant height max:

0.3 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Sarcophyte sanguinea has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Diinsinin, Diinsininol, Flavonoids, naringenin.

Diinsinin

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Diinsininol

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

naringenin

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Conditions

Sarcophyte sanguinea has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer.

Cancer

1. Frontiers in pharmacology