Argan

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Argania spinosa
• Argania spinosa var. apiculata
• Verlangia argan
• Argania spinosa var. mutica
• Sideroxylon argan
• Elaeodendron argan
• Rhamnus sicula

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ericales, it is a member of the family Sapotaceae. It is further categorized under the genus Sideroxylon, which includes the species Sideroxylon spinosum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution primarily concentrated around the Mediterranean basin. In Southwestern Europe, its presence is notably documented within the country of Spain. Moving across the sea, it is widely distributed throughout various regions of Northern Africa. Specifically, it can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. Additionally, the species extends its range into the territory of Western Sahara.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Sideroxylon spinosum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem over multiple growing seasons. As a nanophanerophyte, its growth form is defined by very short woody stems that typically remain close to the ground, allowing it to persist in its specific niche. Furthermore, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, retaining its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sideroxylon spinosum is characterized by a woody growth form, functioning as a self-supporting tree. It typically reaches a mean plant height of approximately 7 meters. As a terrestrial organism, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, and it maintains an independent existence rather than acting as a parasite. The plant does not exhibit climbing habits, such as lianas or vines, but instead stands as a self-supporting, woody structure.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

7 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sideroxylon spinosum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy in many woody species that involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide via the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle. In terms of its nutrient cycling capabilities, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the availability of soil nitrogen and organic matter decomposition rather than symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria to fulfill its nitrogen requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sideroxylon spinosum is characterized by the production of specialized seeds that serve as the primary mechanism for propagation and species dispersal. The reproductive output is marked by a highly consistent seed morphology, with the seed mass exhibiting no variance across observed samples. Specifically, the seed mass is uniform, maintaining a mean value of 3.94 g, which is reflected in both its maximum and minimum recorded measurements of 3.94 g. This stability in seed mass suggests a standardized energetic investment per propagule, ensuring that each seed possesses a consistent nutrient reserve to support early seedling development upon germination.

Seed mass mean:

3.94 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Sideroxylon spinosum 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 fruit, seed.

Fruit

1. BioMed research international

Seed

1. Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology

Chemicals

Sideroxylon spinosum has 20 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Tocopherols, -Spinasterol, Arganine A, Arganine B, Arganine C.

Tocopherols

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of dermatological science

-Spinasterol

1. Journal of dermatological science

Arganine A

1. Phytochemistry

Arganine B

1. Phytochemistry

Arganine C

1. Phytochemistry

Arganine D

1. Phytochemistry

Arganine E

1. Phytochemistry

Arganine F

1. Phytochemistry

Condensed Tannins

1. BioMed research international

Fatty acids

1. Journal of dermatological science

Activities

Sideroxylon spinosum has 8 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Anticancer, Antihypertensive.

Antioxidant

1. ACS omega
2. BioMed research international
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antibacterial

1. ACS omega
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antidiabetic

1. ACS omega
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anticancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antihypertensive

1. Therapie

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiobesity

1. ACS omega

Hypocholesterolemic

1. Therapie

Preparations

Sideroxylon spinosum has 3 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Argan oil, argan oil, seed oil.

Argan oil

1. Therapie

Argan oil

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Seed oil

1. Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology