Syrian Bean-caper

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Syrian Bean-caper

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Fabago major
• Zygophyllum fabago subsp. dolichocarpum
• Zygophyllum fabago subsp. orientale
• Zygophyllum typicum
• Zygophyllum micronatum
• Zygophyllum fabago subsp. dolichocarpum
• Zygophyllum fabago var. typicum
• Zygophyllum fabago var. sayramense
• Fabago alata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Zygophyllales, it is classified under the family Zygophyllaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its membership in the genus Zygophyllum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of Europe. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found inhabiting parts of France and Spain. Additionally, its presence extends to the Mediterranean island of Sardegna. Moving toward Southeastern Europe, the species is also documented in Bulgaria. Finally, its range continues through the territory of Romania.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Zygophyllum fabago is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse topographical and environmental spectrum, spanning an elevational range from 300 m to a maximum of 2400 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant ecological plasticity, establishing itself in varied environments ranging from arid desert landscapes and undulating hills to more anthropogenically influenced areas such as parks and even waste dumps. Its capacity to colonize both natural xeric habitats and disturbed sites suggests a robust adaptability to different soil conditions and moisture availability within its broad altitudinal distribution.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Habitat :

desert,dump,hills,parks

Life history

The life history of Zygophyllum fabago is characterized by its classification as a perennial, meaning it lives for multiple years, though it may exhibit variable growth patterns depending on environmental conditions. Structurally, the plant functions as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by the leaf litter or the ground itself during unfavorable periods. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and a protected bud structure allows the species to persist through seasonal shifts and endure in its natural habitats.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Zygophyllum fabago is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte, with a terrestrial habitat preference. This self-supporting plant lacks climbing tendencies, such as liana or vine characteristics, and maintains a structured stature. It typically reaches a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 0.8 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.8 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Zygophyllum fabago is characterized by a metabolic framework utilizing the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and resource management. As a C3 plant, it relies on the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells, a process that is highly efficient under moderate temperature and moisture conditions but becomes metabolically expensive under high thermal stress due to photorespiration. To mitigate the challenges of its typically arid habitats, the plant employs specialized physiological adaptations to balance gas exchange with water conservation. This includes the regulation of stomatal conductance to minimize transpiration while maintaining sufficient internal CO2 concentrations for photosynthesis. Furthermore, its physiological resilience is supported by specialized succulent tissues that facilitate water storage, allowing the plant to maintain turgor pressure and metabolic continuity during prolonged periods of environmental drought.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Zygophyllum fabago is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and the production of lightweight seeds. The flowering period typically begins in April and concludes in June, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. During this reproductive phase, the plant produces seeds with a mean mass of approximately 0.003856667 g. The individual seed mass exhibits a range of variation, with a minimum recorded value of 0.00209 g and a maximum value of 0.0058 g.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Seed mass max:

0.0058 g

Seed mass mean:

0.003856667 g

Seed mass min:

0.00209 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Zygophyllum fabago has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-o-beta-d-glucopyranosyl quinovic acid, Esterase, Quinovic acid, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside.

3-o-beta-d-glucopyranosyl quinovic acid

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Esterase

1. PloS one

Quinovic acid

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside

1. Advanced pharmaceutical bulletin

Activities

Zygophyllum fabago has 6 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antiproliferative.

Antioxidant

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia
2. Advanced pharmaceutical bulletin

Antibacterial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antifungal

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimicrobial

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Antiproliferative

1. Advanced pharmaceutical bulletin

Cytotoxic

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Medicinal Uses

Zygophyllum fabago has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, salt.

Most Reported Uses