Cleome rutidosperma
Cleome rutidosperma from Kerala, India
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Brassicales
Family: Cleomaceae
Genus: Cleome
Species:
C. rutidosperma
Binomial name
Cleome rutidosperma
DC.
Synonyms[1]

Cleome ciliata Schumach. & Thonn.

Cleome rutidosperma from Taiwan
Cleome rutidosperma from the Philippines

Cleome rutidosperma, commonly known as fringed spider flower or purple cleome, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Cleome of the family Cleomaceae, native to tropical Africa. This species is an invasive weed throughout most lowland wet tropical areas of Asia and Australia. It is a very common weed of lawns.[2]

Description

Cleome rutidosperma is a small herbaceous plant usually growing up to 50 to 70 cm (20 to 28 in) but can reach up to 1 m (3.3 ft) in height.[3] The leaves are unipinnate or trifoliate.

The branching stems are covered in fine hairs that may cause itching if they come in contact with human skin.

Cleome rutidosperma grows rapidly and can produce numerous viable seeds quickly.[3] Their seeds are produced inside pods that split open when dry. They are black in color and vary in size from 7 to 16 millimetres (0.28 to 0.63 in) in length. They also contain elaiosomes, fleshy structures rich in protein and lipids. The seeds are collected and stored underground by ants. The elaiosomes are eaten, but the seed remains untouched and will eventually sprout from underground. This hastens the spread of the plants.[4]

Taxonomy and nomenclature

Other common names of C. rutidosperma include:

Distribution and habitat

Cleome rutidosperma is native to West Africa, where its habitat is usually along coastal regions but can extend to inland areas.[4] It has been introduced to other parts of the world and is now found in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, America, the Pacific, and Oceania.[3][8]

Cleome rutidosperma are usually found growing in recently disturbed soils, including gardens, roadsides, and fields. They can also grow as epiphytes on rock faces and trees.[3]

Economic importance

Cleome rutidosperma is considered a weed. It has a moderate impact on field crops where it has been introduced.[3]

The leaves of C. rutidosperma are edible and are eaten as food in Africa (particularly by pregnant or breast-feeding women) and in India (where the leaves are known as sag).[5] They are also used in ethnomedicine for treating ear inflammation, convulsions, irritated skin, and malaria.[9] The roots are also used as an antihelminthic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory.[10]

Medical research have confirmed that C. rutidosperma exhibits moderate activity against Plasmodium falciparum.[9] Studies have also shown potent activity of C. rutidosperma against arthritis.[10]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cleome rutidosperma.
  1. 1 2 "Cleome rutidosperma DC., Capparaceae". Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER). March 14, 2005. Retrieved July 29, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Cleome rutidosperma in Flora of China @". Efloras.org. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Cleome rutidosperma (PDF). Coir Weed Risk Assessment. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  4. 1 2 B.M. Waterhouse (2003). "Know your enemy: recent records of potentially serious weeds in northern Australia, Papua New Guinea and Papua (Indonesia)" (PDF). Telopea. 10 (1): 477–485. doi:10.7751/telopea20035624.
  5. 1 2 A.B. Prusti & K.K.Behera (2007). "Ethnobotanical Exploration of Malkangiri District of Orissa, India". Ethnobotanical Leaflets. 11: 122–140. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  6. ↑ G. J. H. Grubben (2004). Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2: Vegetables. PROTA. p. 197–198. ISBN 9789057821479.
  7. ↑ Godofredo Stuart. "Seru walai: Cleome rutidosperma DC". Philippine Medicinal Plants. Retrieved July 29, 2011.
  8. ↑ B.M.J. Hussey & S.G. Lloyd (2002). Western Weeds: Additions, Deletions and Name Changes (PDF). Plant Protection Society of WA (Inc.).
  9. 1 2 Anindya A. Bose, Peter J. Smith, Carmen A. Lategan, Jayanta Kumar Gupta, & Sudam Si (2010). "Studies in in vitro Antiplasmodial Activity of Cleome rutidosperma" (PDF). Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica – Drug Research. Polish Pharmaceutical Society. 67 (3): 315–318. ISSN 0001-6837.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. 1 2 A. K. Chakraborty & H. K. Roy (2010). "Evaluation of Anti-Arthritic activity of Ethanolic Extract of Cleome rutidosperma " (PDF). Journal of Pharmaceutical Science & Technology. 2 (10): 330–332. ISSN 0975-5772.
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