Spartium junceum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing within the territory of Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is established in both Belgium and Germany. The distribution extends to Southwestern Europe, where it inhabits the Baleares islands. Finally, it is also documented occurring in the Mediterranean region of Corse.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Spartium junceum is characterized by its ability to thrive across a vast altitudinal gradient, spanning from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 3000 m AMSL. On average, the species is found at a mean elevation of approximately 1740.67 m AMSL, demonstrating significant adaptability to varying atmospheric pressures and temperature regimes. Its primary preferred habitat consists of hilly terrains, where it integrates into the landscape of slopes and undulating elevations. This distribution pattern suggests a robust capacity to colonize diverse topographical niches within mountainous and sub-montane environments.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1740.66666666667 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

hills

Genetics

The genetics of Spartium junceuum are characterized by a notable degree of karyotypic variability, which reflects a complex evolutionary history likely involving polyploidization events. A defining feature of its genetic structure is the fluctuation in its chromosome number, with observed values documented at 48, 52, and 54 chromosomes. This chromosomal polymorphism suggests a high level of genomic plasticity within the species, potentially contributing to its ability to adapt to diverse environmental conditions. Such variation in chromosome counts is a significant cytogenetic trait that distinguishes different populations or varieties of the plant, influencing its reproductive biology and genetic diversity.

Chromosome number :

48, 52, 54

Life history

The life history of Spartium junceuum is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its buds are elevated above the ground level, specifically manifesting as a phanerophyte life form that supports its structural growth. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage according to seasonal changes.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Spartium junceum is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub that functions as a self-supporting, independent organism. It is a terrestrial plant that does not exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behavior, maintaining a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a liana or vine. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variation in height, ranging from a minimum of 1 m to a maximum of 4 m, with a mean plant height of approximately 2.75 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Plant height mean:

2.75 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Spartium junceuum is characterized by several distinct morphological and metabolic adaptations, most notably its capacity for biological nitrogen fixation, as it acts as a nitrogen fixer to enhance soil fertility. Its photosynthetic processes follow the C3 pathway, a metabolic strategy typical of many temperate woody legumes. The plant's foliage is composed of elliptic-shaped leaves that exhibit significant variation in dimensions; specifically, the leaf length ranges from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 3 cm, while the leaf width varies between a minimum of 0.2 cm and a maximum of 1 cm.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

3 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

1 cm

Leaf width min:

0.2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Spartium junceuum is primarily sexual, utilizing bisexual flowers arranged in a raceme inflorescence. The flowering period typically begins in May and extends through July, featuring bright yellow flowers that range in length from 2 cm to 2.5 cm. These flowers rely on biotic pollination, specifically utilizing an insect pollination syndrome to facilitate fertilization, as self-fertilization is noted to be absent. Following successful pollination, the plant develops black-colored fruit in the form of a pod. These pods are dehiscent and vary in size, with a mean length of 7 cm (ranging from 4 cm to 10 cm) and a mean width of 0.7 cm (ranging from 0.5 cm to 0.8 cm). Each fruit is highly prolific, containing more than 1000 seeds. The seeds are characterized by a mean mass of approximately 0.0137 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.01076 g to a maximum of 0.02 g. Dispersal of the seeds is achieved through an autochorous syndrome, where the plant utilizes its own mechanisms for seed dispersal. Asexual reproduction is absent in this species.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flower length max:

2.5 cm

Flower length min:

2 cm

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit colour :

black

Fruit length max:

10 cm

Fruit length mean:

7 cm

Fruit length min:

4 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

0.8 cm

Fruit width mean:

7 cm

Fruit width min:

0.5 cm

Inflorescence :

raceme

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.02 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0137320833333333 g

Seed mass min:

0.01076 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Spartium junceum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower.

Flower

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Spartium junceum has 33 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,18-Octadecanediol, 1,26-Hexacosanediol, 2'-Hydroxygenistein, ANAGYRINE, Ash.

1,18-Octadecanediol

1. Dr. Duke

1,26-Hexacosanediol

1. Dr. Duke

2'-Hydroxygenistein

1. Dr. Duke

ANAGYRINE

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

CYTISINE

1. Dr. Duke

Chrysin 7-gentiobioside

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Juncein

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Spartium junceum has 343 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ATPase-Inhibitor, Abortifacient.

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations

Spartium junceum has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts.

Extracts

1. Annals of clinical microbiology and antimicrobials