Zygophyllum indicum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Fagonia parviflora
• Fagonia ovalifolia
• Fagonia ovalifolia var. qatarensis
• Fagonia olivieri f. jolyi
• Fagonia mysorensis
• Fagonia jolyi
• Fagonia jolyi var. stenophylla
• Fagonia aucheri
• Fagonia elliptica
• Fagonia indica
• Fagonia indica var. aucheri
• Fagonia jolyi var. brevispina
• Fagonia olivieri var. grandiflora

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, it is further organized into the order Zygophyllales and the family Zygophyllaceae. Finally, it is specifically identified by its genus, Zygophyllum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the northern regions of the African continent. It can be found growing across the diverse landscapes of Algeria and Egypt. Additionally, its presence extends through the territories of Libya and Morocco. The species also inhabits the arid environments of Western Sahara. Together, these locations define the primary range of this medicinal plant in North Africa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Zygophyllum indicum is characterized by its adaptation to arid and semi-arid environments, typically thriving in rocky outcrops, sandy soils, or disturbed open landscapes where moisture is seasonal. This species is strategically distributed across varying topographical gradients, maintaining a specific elevational range that allows it to occupy niche habitats suitable for its survival. Based on ecological data, its distribution is centered around an elevational range mean of 800 m AMSL, indicating a preference for mid-altitude terrains. Its presence is often dictated by soil composition and the ability to withstand high solar radiation and temperature fluctuations common in its native range.

Elevational range mean:

800 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Zygophyllum indicum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. In terms of its structural growth habit and survival strategy, the species is classified as a chamaephyte, meaning its perennating buds are located close to the soil surface, often protected by a layer of leaf litter or the ground itself. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and a low-growing life form enables the plant to endure environmental fluctuations and maintain a stable presence within its natural habitat.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Zygophyllum indicum is characterized by its growth form as a woody herb. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is self-supporting rather than being a liana, vine, or obligatory/facultative climber.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Zygophyllum indicum is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and highly uniform seed production. The flowering period typically commences in March and concludes in April, though the timing can be variable across different seasonal cycles. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds that exhibit remarkable consistency in weight; the seed mass is measured at a constant value of 0.00105 g, with the mean, maximum, and minimum recorded masses all aligning at this precise measurement.

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Apr

Seed mass mean:

0.00105 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Zygophyllum indicum has 33 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Superoxide dismutase, Al, Amide, As.

Flavonoids

1. Scientific reports
2. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology
3. Current pharmaceutical design
4. AMB Express

Superoxide dismutase

1. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology
2. PloS one

Al

1. Biological trace element research

Amide

1. AMB Express

As

1. Biological trace element research

BA

1. Biological trace element research

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

CD

1. Biological trace element research

CR

1. Biological trace element research

CU

1. Biological trace element research

Activities

Zygophyllum indicum has 29 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective, Anthelmintic.

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
3. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology
4. Molecular and cellular biochemistry
5. Current pharmaceutical design

Antioxidant

1. Scientific reports
2. Current pharmaceutical design
3. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antidiabetic

1. Current pharmaceutical design
2. Molecular diversity

Hepatoprotective

1. Current pharmaceutical design
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Zygophyllum indicum has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include skin, wounds.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations