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cadaba
Scientific Name: Cadaba farinosa
Family: Capparaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Cadaba: A Botanical Overview
The genus Cadaba comprises approximately 30 species of shrubs belonging to the family Capparaceae. Several species have ethnobotanical uses, while others have been studied for their phytochemistry.
Considerations for Pets
- An unidentified toxin in some African plants of the Capparidaceae family has been associated with diarrhea, salivation, dyspnea, and liver/kidney damage. Although not definitively linked to Cadaba, caution should be exercised.
Considerations for Children
- Some species, such as Cadaba aphylla, are described as having tangled growth habits.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Cadaba Forssk.
- Family: Capparaceae
- Major Group: Angiosperms (Flowering plants)
- Synonyms:
- For Cadaba termitaria: Cadaba macropoda Gilg
- Specific Examples:
- Cadaba farinosa Forssk.
- Cadaba fruticosa (L.) Druce
- Cadaba aphylla (Thunb.) Wild (Basionym: Cleome aphylla Thunb.)
- Cadaba heterotricha Stocks ex Hooker
- Cadaba kirkii Oliv.
- Cadaba glandulosa
- Cadaba trifoliata
- Cadaba termitaria N.E. Br.
Common Names
- Indian Cadaba (for Cadaba farinosa)
- "vizhuthi" (??????) in Tamil (for Cadaba fruticosa)
- Wolof names for some species: n'debarghe, debarka
Distribution and Habitat
- Cadaba farinosa is widely distributed in low rainfall areas of tropical Africa, from Senegal and Mauritania east to the Red Sea, and extending into Egypt (Egyptian desert, Red Sea coastal strip and Gebel Elba).
- Cadaba fruticosa is found in the Flora of Eastern Ghats: Hill Ranges of South East India.
- Cadaba aphylla is found in southern Africa.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Cadaba farinosa: Slender, evergreen woody plant growing up to 5 meters tall. Usually a low shrub, it often has more or less climbing stems. Furrowed, sometimes yellowish stem.
- Indian Cadaba (Cadaba farinosa): Climbing shrub, height up to 5 m. Oval leaves with rounded tip are arranged alternately on the branches. Flowers usually in terminal racemes.
- Cadaba aphylla: Many-branched, leafless shrub, small tree, or tangled bush. The dark green, cylindrical stems are somewhat weak.
Traditional and Medicinal Uses
- Some species are classified as famine food in southern Ethiopia.
- In Tamil Nadu, Cadaba fruticosa is used in Siddha medicine for more than 2000 years.
- Cadaba farinosa is used in ethnomedicine.
Phytochemical Studies
- Cadabine, a compound isolated from the leaves of Cadaba fruticosa, has been identified as stachydrine.
- New anti-inflammatory flavonoids have been found in Cadaba glandulosa.
Ecological Considerations
- Cadaba sp. A is representative of a group of plants on Soqotra which are threatened by over-exploitation.