Blydog

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Blydog
• Money bush
• Trommelstok
• Yellow Candlewood
• Christmas Bush
• Rambling Senna
• Yellow Candlebush
• rambling cassia
• Rambling-Cassia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Adipera bicapsularis
• Cassia bicapsularis
• Diallobus bicapsularis
• Cathartocarpus bicapsularis

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. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. Specifically, Senna bicapsularis is identified by its genus, Senna.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several distinct regions. In Northern Africa, it can be found growing in the countries of Egypt and Morocco. Its presence extends into the Macaronesia archipelago, where it inhabits the Canary Islands. Furthermore, the species is established in the islands of Cape Verde. Finally, its geographical range includes the territory of Madeira.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Senna bicapsularis is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, ranging from sea level up to an elevation of 2400 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to various environments, frequently acting as an escape from cultivation where it establishes itself within old cultivation sites. Its preferred habitats include wooded or bushed grasslands, and it is commonly found growing in riparian or coastal zones, often situated along the margins of seas, lakes, or rivers.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

escape from cultivation and established in old cultivations, wooded or bushed grassland, often along the sea, lakes or rivers

Life history

The life history of Senna bicapsularis is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy and life form, it is categorized as a chamaephyte, a designation indicating that its persistent buds are located close to the soil surface, typically below the level of the ground but above the water line. This specific life form, identified both as chamaephyte and specifically within the chamaephyte category, dictates its ability to survive varying environmental conditions by maintaining its regenerative capacity near the substrate.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Senna bicapsularis is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a shrub. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently without acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit rather than being an obligatory or facultative vine. In terms of stature, it shows significant dimensional variability, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 3.5 m, though it maintains a mean height of approximately 4.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3.5 m

Plant height mean:

4.5 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sennas bicapsularis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits an alternate leaf arrangement, with individual leaves displaying an elliptic form. These leaves vary in size, with a minimum length of 1.6 cm reaching up to a maximum length of 4.5 cm, while their width ranges from a minimum of 1.1 cm to a maximum of 2.3 cm. Additionally, the plant demonstrates succulence, indicating specialized physiological adaptations for water storage within its tissues. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, Sennas bicapsularis does not function as a nitrogen fixer.

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

4.5 cm

Leaf length min:

1.6 cm

Leaf width max:

2.3 cm

Leaf width min:

1.1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

yes

Reproduction

The reproduction of Senna bicapsularis is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and the production of distinct fruit and seed structures. The flowering period typically begins in March and concludes in May, though the timing can be variable throughout the year. During the reproductive phase, the plant produces flowers that measure between 1.2 cm and 1.6 cm in length. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a pod, which exhibits a brown coloration. These pods are elongated, ranging from a minimum length of 8 cm to a maximum of 18 cm, with widths varying between 1 cm and 2 cm. Within these pods, the seeds are produced with a mean mass of approximately 0.03177 g, though individual seed weights can fluctuate between a minimum of 0.02794 g and a maximum of 0.0356 g.

Flower length max:

1.6 cm

Flower length min:

1.2 cm

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

May

Fruit colour :

brown

Fruit length max:

18 cm

Fruit length min:

8 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

2 cm

Fruit width min:

1 cm

Seed mass max:

0.0356 g

Seed mass mean:

0.03177 g

Seed mass min:

0.02794 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Senna bicapsularis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Rhein.

Rhein

1. Natural product research

Preparations

Senna bicapsularis has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude methanolic extracts.

Crude methanolic extracts

1. Natural product research