Trigonella stellata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Medicago stellata
• Telis stellata
• Trigonella elongata
• Trigonella egyptiaca
• Trigonella hamosa var. microcarpa
• Trigonella polyantha
• Trigonella microcarpa

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and order Fabales, it falls under the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is specifically categorized within the genus Trigonella.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Trigonella stellaata, exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the Northern African region. Its presence is documented across several key nations, including Algeria and Egypt. Furthermore, the species can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Libya. It also maintains a documented range within the borders of Morocco. Finally, the plant's distribution extends to the territory of Tunisia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Trigonella stellata is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental progression—from germination and vegetative growth to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. As an annual species, it focuses its metabolic energy on rapid maturation to ensure reproductive success before the onset of unfavorable environmental conditions. Following the initial germination phase, the plant undergoes a period of vegetative development, establishing a root system and foliage suitable for photosynthesis. This is followed by the reproductive stage, where it produces flowers and eventually matures into seed-bearing structures. Once the seeds are fully developed and dispersed, the individual plant reaches the end of its biological cycle and dies, leaving the next generation to emerge from the seed bank in the following season.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Trigonella stellata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It functions as an independent organism, exhibiting no parasitic behavior. The plant typically thrives in terrestrial environments, though it can exist in aquactic or semiaquatic habitats. Its shoots exhibit an ascending orientation and are classified as self-supporting climbers. The shoot length of the plant is variable, ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 40 cm.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Shoot length max:

40 cm

Shoot length min:

5 cm

Shoot orientation :

ascending

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Trigonella stellata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant's vegetative structures are defined by specialized leaf morphology, featuring an obovate leaf form that optimizes surface area for light absorption. These leaves exhibit specific dimensional constraints, with individual leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 1 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width is physiologically regulated within a narrow margin, measuring between a minimum of 0.5 cm and a maximum of 0.7 cm.

Leaf form :

obovate

Leaf length max:

1 cm

Leaf length min:

0.5 cm

Leaf width max:

0.7 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Trigonella stellata is characterized by a flowering period that typically begins in March and concludes in April, though the flowering time can be variable across different months of the year. The plant produces small, yellow flowers that measure between 0.3 cm and 0.5 cm in length. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a pod, which ranges in length from 0.4 cm to 1 cm and maintains a width between 0.1 cm and 0.2 cm. These pods are dehiscient, meaning they split open at maturity to release the seeds. The seeds themselves are quite small, with a maximum length of 1.5 mm and a mean mass of approximately 0.0006 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.00057 g to a maximum of 0.00063 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Flower colour :

yellow

Flower length max:

0.5 cm

Flower length min:

0.3 cm

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length min:

0.4 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

0.2 cm

Fruit width min:

0.1 cm

Seed length max:

1.5 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00063 g

Seed mass mean:

6e-04 g

Seed mass min:

0.00057 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Trigonella stellata has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Astrasikokioside I, DIOSGENIN, Dihydromelilotoside, Fenugreekine, Kaempferitrin.

Astrasikokioside I

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

DIOSGENIN

1. BMC plant biology

Dihydromelilotoside

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Fenugreekine

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Kaempferitrin

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Soyasaponin I

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Trigonelline

1. BMC plant biology

linoleic acid

1. BMC plant biology

linolenic acid

1. BMC plant biology

methyl dihydromelilotoside

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology

Activities

Trigonella stellata has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Cytotoxic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Trigonella stellata has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, antidiabetic.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations