Zygophyllum arabicum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Fagonia boulosii
• Fagonia boulosii var. crameri
• Fagonia arabica var. viscidissima
• Fagonia arabica var. viscidula
• Fagonia arabica var. brevispina
• Fagonia arabica var. imamii
• Fagonia arabica var. membranacea
• Fagonia arabica var. negevensis
• Fagonia arabica var. planii
• Fagonia thebaica
• Fagonia thebaica var. violacea
• Fagonia tilhoana
• Fagonia tilhoana var. brevipila
• Fagonia arabica var. tilhoana
• Fagonia arabica

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Zygophyllales. Finally, it resides in the family Zygophyllaceae and is identified by the genus Zygophyllum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the vast landscapes of Northern Africa. Specifically, it can be found growing within the borders of Algeria and Egypt. Its presence extends further west into the territories of Libya and Morocco. Additionally, the species is known to inhabit the arid regions of Western Sahara. Together, these locations define its specific geographical range across the North African continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Zygophyllum arabicum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons within its natural habitat. In terms of its structural growth habit, it is classified as a chamaephyte, meaning its perennating buds are located close to the soil surface, typically just above the ground level. This life strategy enables the species to survive environmental fluctuations and seasonal changes by maintaining its vital structures near the earth, facilitating regrowth once favorable conditions return.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Zygophyllum arabicum is characterized by its growth form as a woody subshrub, exhibiting a structural habit that transitions between a herb and a more permanent woody presence. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber, maintaining its own upright or spreading architecture without the need for external support. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, functioning entirely on its own nutritional requirements. In terms of its habitat preference, the species is primarily terrestrial, distinguishing it from aquatic or semiaquatic life forms.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Zygophyllum arabicum is characterized by specific metabolic adaptations that allow it to endure the extreme environmental stresses of arid and semi-arid landscapes. A fundamental component of its metabolic framework is its photosynthetic pathway, which utilizes the C3 pathway for carbon fixation. This biochemical process involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO, a mechanism that, while requiring more consistent water availability than C4 or CAM pathways, is integrated into the plant's broader survival strategies. To compensate for the potential transpirational water loss associated with C3 photosynthesis in desert climates, the plant employs various physiological mechanisms, including specialized succulent tissues for water storage and highly regulated stomatal conductance to balance gas exchange with moisture conservation. This physiological configuration enables the plant to maintain essential metabolic functions and biomass production despite the intermittent availability of water and high thermal loads.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Zygophyllum arabicum has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Kaempferol 7-O-rhamnoside, 3beta,27-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid, 5'-Nucleotidase, Flavonoids, Glycosides.

Kaempferol 7-O-rhamnoside

1. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening
2. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

3beta,27-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid

1. Journal of natural products

5'-Nucleotidase

1. BioMed research international

Flavonoids

1. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening

Glycosides

1. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening

Saponins

1. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening

Terpenoids

1. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening

Activities

Zygophyllum arabicum has 6 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticoagulant, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Cardioprotective.

Antibacterial

1. Bioinformatics and biology insights

Anticoagulant

1. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening

Antimicrobial

1. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening

Antioxidant

1. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening

Cardioprotective

1. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening

Thrombolytic

1. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening

Preparations

Zygophyllum arabicum has 4 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include F. arabica extract, Water and ethanol extracts, aqueous extracts, liposomal nanoparticles.

F. arabica extract

1. Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis : an international journal in haemostasis and thrombosis

Water and ethanol extracts

1. Bioinformatics and biology insights

Aqueous extracts

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Liposomal nanoparticles

1. RSC advances