lotus

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• lotus
• lotustree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rhamnus lotus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Rosales and the family Rhamnaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Ziziphus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across several key regions. In Southwestern Europe, its presence is notably recorded in Spain. Its distribution extends into Southeastern Europe, specifically within the territories of Greece and Sicilia. Furthermore, the species is well-established across Northern Africa. This African coverage includes significant populations found in both Algeria and Egypt.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Ziziphus lotus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain long-term stability within its ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, the species invests its energy into developing permanent woody structures that elevate its photosynthetic organs well above the ground level, ensuring survival against seasonal environmental fluctuations. This combination of a long-lived life cycle and a robust growth form enables the plant to establish a significant presence in its natural habitat, contributing to the structural complexity of its environment over many years.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ziziphus lotus is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a shrub or subshrub. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit obligatory or facultative climbing behaviors. In terms of its ecological positioning, the species is an independent organism that is neither a parasite nor an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial existence rather than an aquatic or semiaquatic one. The plant reaches a maximum height of approximately 1.219 meters, supported by its robust, woody structure.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.219214826 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ziziphus lotus is characterized by its adaptation to arid and semi-arid environments, employing specific metabolic and structural mechanisms to manage water scarcity and thermal stress. Central to its metabolic profile is its photosynthetic pathway, which follows the C3 pathway, meaning it fixes atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle using the enzyme RuBisCO. To compensate for the inherent water-loss risks associated with C3 photosynthesis in dry climates, the plant utilizes physiological strategies such as controlled stomatal conductance and deep root systems to optimize water uptake. Its physiological processes are further defined by efficient osmotic adjustment and the accumulation of compatible solutes, which allow the plant to maintain cellular turgor and metabolic activity during periods of high evaporative demand and soil moisture deficit.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ziziphus lotus is characterized by the production of fleshy, indehiscent fruits classified as drupes. These fruits serve as the primary vessel for seed protection and distribution, typically measuring an average of 1.73 cm in length and 1.54 cm in width. The seeds contained within these drupes possess a mean mass of 0.352 g. Dispersal is facilitated through a zoochorous syndrome, meaning the plant relies on animals to aid in the movement of its seeds, likely due to the attractive nature of the fruit. Because the fruit is indehiscent, it does not split open at maturity to release its contents, instead requiring external biological agents to facilitate the release of the seeds during or after consumption.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit length mean:

1.73 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Fruit width mean:

1.54 cm

Seed mass mean:

0.352 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ziziphus lotus has 24 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, polyphenols, quinic acid, Ash, Carotenoids.

Flavonoids

1. PloS one
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Journal of medicinal food

polyphenols

1. PloS one
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

quinic acid

1. PloS one
2. Biotechnology & genetic engineering reviews

Ash

1. International journal of food science

Carotenoids

1. PloS one

Condensed Tannins

1. PloS one

FAT

1. International journal of food science

Fatty acids

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoid

1. International journal of food science

Gallic acid

1. ACS omega

Activities

Ziziphus lotus has 9 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Analgesic, Anticancer.

Antioxidant

1. International journal of food science
2. PloS one
3. Journal of medicinal food

Antidiabetic

1. Frontiers in nutrition
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimicrobial

1. PloS one
2. Frontiers in nutrition

Analgesic

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Anticancer

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Antispasmodic

1. Journal of medicinal food

Hepatoprotective

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Litholytic

1. Journal of medicinal food

Nephroprotective

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Ziziphus lotus has 15 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include COVID 19, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus.

Covid 19

1. European journal of integrative medicine

Escherichia coli

1. PloS one

Listeria monocytogenes

1. PloS one

Salmonella typhimurium

1. PloS one

Staphylococcus aureus

1. PloS one

Bronchitis

1. Journal of medicinal food

Gastrointestinal diseases

1. Nutrients

Infectious diseases

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Inflammation

1. Archives of physiology and biochemistry

Liver diseases

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Preparations

Ziziphus lotus has 4 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Honey, extracts, monofloral honey, plant extracts.

Honey

1. ACS omega

Extracts

1. Frontiers in nutrition

Monofloral honey

1. Life (Basel, Switzerland)

Plant extracts

1. International journal of food science