African Dream Root

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Cape catchfly
• gunpowder plant
• wild tobacco

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Melandrium ornatum var. undulatum
• Melandrium undulatum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Caryophyllales, it is classified under the family Caryophyllaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Silene, representing the species Silene undulata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several regions of Southern Africa. Within the South Tropical Africa region, it can be specifically found in Zimbabwe. Its presence extends throughout Southern Africa, where it inhabits the landscapes of Botswana. Additionally, the species is documented across various parts of the Cape Provinces. Finally, its range includes the mountainous terrains of Lesotho as well as the coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Silene undulata is characterized by an exceptionally broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to occupy a diverse range of environmental gradients. This species demonstrates remarkable ecological plasticity, inhabiting landscapes that span from sea level up to significant high-altitude territories. Specifically, its elevational range extends from a minimum of 2 m AMSL to a maximum of 3490 m AMSL. This vast vertical stretch suggests that the plant is capable of adapting to a wide spectrum of climatic conditions, ranging from the warmer, more humid environments of lowland coastal or riparian zones to the harsher, cooler, and more oxygen-thin conditions found in montane or subalpine ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

3490 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Silene undulata is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental sequence—from seed germination to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. As an annual species, it relies on a rapid growth strategy to exploit favorable environmental conditions before the onset of seasonal stressors. The cycle begins with the germination of seeds, followed by a period of vegetative growth where the plant establishes its root system and develops its characteristic foliage. Once sufficient biomass is achieved, the plant transitions into its reproductive phase, producing flowers that facilitate pollination. Following successful fertilization, the plant directs its remaining energy into the maturation of seeds, ensuring the next generation is established before the parent plant senesces at the end of the year.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Silene undulata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically functioning as a forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing tendencies, such as being a liana or vine, and it maintains an independent status without acting as a parasite. The plant is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, though it can occupy semiaquatic or aquatic environments. In terms of physical dimensions, it is a relatively low-growing species with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 0.89 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.89 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Silene undulata is characterized by a primary photosynthetic pathway classified as C3. In this metabolic process, the plant fixes atmospheric carbon dioxide directly through the Calvin cycle, utilizing the enzyme RuBisCO to facilitate the initial carboxylation within the mesophyll cells. This C3 mechanism indicates that the plant relies on standard carbon fixation without the specialized spatial separation seen in C4 plants or the temporal separation found in CAM species, meaning its photosynthetic efficiency is highly dependent on ambient temperature and water availability to manage photorespiration.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Silene undulata is characterized by the production of seeds with specific physical dimensions that reflect its reproductive strategy. The seed mass of this species exhibits notable variability, with a recorded mean mass of 0.000696 g. Within the observed population, the individual seed weights range from a minimum of 0.00046 g to a maximum of 0.00102 g. This distribution in seed mass is a critical component of its reproductive output, influencing seedling establishment and survival within its natural habitat.

Seed mass max:

0.00102 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000696 g

Seed mass min:

0.00046 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Silene undulata has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include HARMINE, IBOGAINE, Norharman, harmaline, harmalol.

HARMINE

1. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology

IBOGAINE

1. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology

Norharman

1. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology

harmaline

1. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology

harmalol

1. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology

Activities

Silene undulata has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Psychoactive.

Psychoactive

1. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology

Preparations

Silene undulata has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include S. undulata extract.

S. undulata extract

1. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology