Zygophyllum album

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tetraena alba
• Zygophyllum album var. amblyocarpum
• Zygophyllum proliferum
• Zygophyllum amblyocarpum
• Tetraena alba var. amblyocarpa
• Tetraena alba var. arabica

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Zygophyllales, it is further organized into the family Zygophyllaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Zygophyllum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several distinct Mediterranean regions. In Southwestern Europe, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Spain. Moving toward Southeastern Europe, it can be found growing on the island of Kriti. The species also extends into Northern Africa, where it inhabits the landscapes of Algeria. Furthermore, its geographical range encompasses the North African nations of both Egypt and Libya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Zygophyllum album is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons within its habitat. In terms of its structural development and survival strategy, the species is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the permanent buds are located close to the soil surface, often protected by a layer of leaf litter or the substrate itself. This growth habit, consistent across its various life form classifications as a chamaephyte, enables the plant to withstand environmental stressors while maintaining a stable presence in its ecological niche.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Zygophyllum album is characterized by a growth form that functions as both a shrub and a subshrub, exhibiting a woody structure throughout its development. It typically reaches a mean plant height of approximately 0.5 m and operates as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, maintaining an independent lifestyle without acting as a parasite.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Zygophyllum album is characterized by a specific metabolic framework and nutrient acquisition strategy. The plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it fixes carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle without the specialized carbon-concentrating mechanisms found in C4 or CAM species. In terms of nutrient cycling, this species is not a nitrogen fixer, lacking the symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Zygophyllum album 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Chemicals

Zygophyllum album has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Saponins, Sterols, Flavonoids, Lipase, OLEANOLIC ACID.

Saponins

1. Food chemistry
2. Scientific reports

Sterols

1. Food chemistry
2. Scientific reports

Flavonoids

1. Food chemistry

Lipase

1. Journal of physiology and biochemistry

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Scientific reports

Quinovic acid

1. Scientific reports

Triterpenes

1. Food chemistry

Ursolic acid

1. Scientific reports

Activities

Zygophyllum album has 5 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antihypertensive, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Anticancer

1. Food chemistry

Antidiabetic

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Antihypertensive

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Antimicrobial

1. Scientific reports

Antioxidant

1. Food chemistry

Medicinal Uses

Zygophyllum album has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diabetes mellitus, Herpes simplex virus type 1, antioxidant activity, colon adenocarcinoma, diarrhea.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations