desert horse purslane

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• desert-horsepurslane
• Desert horsepurslane
• black-pigweed
• giant-pigweed
• horse-purslane
• horse purslane

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Portulaca toston
• Portulacastrum monogynum
• Trianthema procumbens
• Trianthema flexuosum
• Trianthema littorale
• Trianthema obcordatum
• Tetragonia chisimajensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales. Finally, it falls into the family Aizoaceae and is categorized under the genus Trianthema.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several nations within the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented in the country of Benin, where it grows within local ecosystems. Additionally, it can be found spanning through Burkina and the Gambia. The species also extends its range into Ghana, contributing to the regional biodiversity. Finally, its distribution reaches as far as Guinea-Bissau, completing its presence in this part of Africa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Trianthema portulacastrum is characterized by its ability to thrive across diverse environmental gradients, specifically occupying habitats such as the Caatinga (stricto sensu) and Restinga. It demonstrates a broad altitudinal tolerance, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL. This distribution allows the species to adapt to both the semi-arid conditions of scrublands and the coastal sandy environments of restinga ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Restinga

Genetics

The genetics of Trianthema portulacastrum are characterized by a notable degree of chromosomal variation within its populations. Specifically, the species exhibits different somatic chromosome numbers, with documented values of 26 and 28. This variation in chromosome number suggests a complex cytogenetic profile that may contribute to the plant's adaptability and evolutionary plasticity across diverse ecological niches. Such numerical differences in the karyotype are indicative of potential polyploidy or aneuploidy events that shape the genetic architecture and reproductive biology of this medicinal species.

Chromosome number :

26, 28

Life history

The life history of Trianthema portulacastrum is characterized by its status as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its ecological strategy and growth habit, the species functions as a therophyte, relying on seeds to survive unfavorable environmental conditions and bypass periods of dormancy. This life form is further categorized under the broader classification of a cryptophyte, as its survival mechanism is centered around these dormant seeds rather than persistent above-ground or below-ground vegetative structures.

Life form :

therophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Trianthema portulacastrum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This plant is a terrestrial species, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its structural habit, it is a self-supporting plant, lacking any climbing or vining tendencies. The plant's stature is relatively low, with a height that ranges from 0 m to a maximum of 0.5 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Trianthema portulacastrum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation strategies. Its vegetative morphology, particularly regarding leaf development, exhibits significant variability; the leaf length typically maintains a mean of 2.75 cm, though it can range from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 5 cm. Similarly, the leaf width displays a broad spectrum, ranging from a minimum of 0.4 cm to a maximum of 4 cm. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil rather than symbiotic nitrogen fixation.

Leaf length max:

5 cm

Leaf length mean:

2.75 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

0.4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Trianthema portulacastrum is characterized by the development of fruits that exhibit a dry texture rather than a fleshy one. These fruits are relatively small in size, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.3 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds possess specific morphological dimensions and mass characteristics; the seed width varies between a minimum of 1.5 mm and a maximum of 2 mm, while the seed volume remains highly consistent with a minimum, maximum, and mean value of 1.3 mm³. Furthermore, the seed mass shows slight fluctuations, ranging from a minimum of 0.00118 g to a maximum of 0.00158 g, with an overall mean mass of 0.00138 g.

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.3 cm

Fruit length min:

0.2 cm

Seed mass max:

0.00158 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00138 g

Seed mass min:

0.00118 g

Seed volume max:

1.3 mm³

Seed width max:

2 mm

Seed width min:

1.5 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Trianthema portulacastrum has 1 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology
2. Neurochemical research

Chemicals

Trianthema portulacastrum has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROGENIC ACID, Flavonoids, Saponins, Terpenoids.

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Neurochemical research

Flavonoids

1. Journal of integrative medicine

Saponins

1. Journal of integrative medicine

Terpenoids

1. Journal of integrative medicine

Activities

Trianthema portulacastrum has 13 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticarcinogenic, Antihepatotoxic, Analgesic, Antiamnesic.

Antioxidant

1. Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology
2. Journal of integrative medicine
3. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
4. Neurochemical research

Anticarcinogenic

1. Cancer letters
2. International journal of molecular sciences

Antihepatotoxic

1. Mutation research
2. Archives of pharmacal research

Analgesic

1. Journal of integrative medicine

Antiamnesic

1. Neurochemical research

Antibacterial

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Antifungal

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Antihepatocarcinogenic

1. Mutation research

Antimicrobial

1. Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology

Antiproliferative

1. Mutation research

Conditions

Trianthema portulacastrum has 10 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Alzheimer's disease, bacterial infections, breast cancer, cancer, cognitive impairment.

Alzheimer's disease

1. Neurochemical research

Bacterial infections

1. Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology

Breast cancer

1. Mutation research

Cancer

1. Journal of integrative medicine

Cognitive impairment

1. Neurochemical research

Fungal infections

1. Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology

Hyperglycemia

1. Journal of integrative medicine

Hyperlipidemia

1. Journal of integrative medicine

Infectious diseases

1. Journal of integrative medicine

Neurological disorders

1. Neurochemical research

Preparations

Trianthema portulacastrum has 5 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include T. portulacastrum extract (TPE), butanol fraction of TP hydroethanolic extract, hydroethanolic extract, methanolic extract, methanolic leaf extract.

T. portulacastrum extract (tpe)

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Butanol fraction of tp hydroethanolic extract

1. Neurochemical research

Hydroethanolic extract

1. Neurochemical research

Methanolic extract

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Methanolic leaf extract

1. Preparative biochemistry & biotechnology