Adenocarpus commutatus
Adenocarpus commutatus
Prickly broom (Adenocarpus commutatus Guss.) is a plant belonging to the Fabaceae family.
Systematics –
Domain Eukaryota,
Kingdom Plantae,
Division Magnoliophyta,
Class Magnoliopsida,
Order Fabales,
Family Fabaceae,
Genus Adenocarpus,
Species A. commutatus.
Synonyms include:
– Adenocarpus complicatus (L.) J.Gay subsp. commutatus (Guss.) Cout.;
– Adenocarpus intermedius Auct. Fl. Ital.
Etymology –
The term Adenocarpus comes from the Greek ἀδήν, -ένος adén, -énos, meaning gland, and from καρπός carpόs, fruit, seed: with glandular fruits.
The specific epithet commutatus comes from cambia, or modified; that is, slightly different from a related taxon.
Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
Adenocarpus commutatus is a plant found in Sicily (Peloritani Mountains) and Algeria.
Its habitat is Mediterranean scrub in mountain shrublands on acidic substrates (700-1200 masl).
Description –
Adenocarpus commutatus is a shrubby, pulvinate-like plant, generally evergreen, 20–50 cm tall. It is similar to A. complicatus subsp. bivonii, but has a densely hairy calyx, sometimes with rare, localized glandular papillae (much more abundant in A. c. subsp. bivonii).
The leaves have linear-elliptical segments measuring 5–11 x 2–3.5 mm.
The inflorescence, consisting of showy yellow flowers, typical of legumes, is longer (8–16 cm).
The fruits are hairy or glandular legumes containing seeds.
The plant flowers between May and June.
Cultivation –
Adenocarpus commutatus is a plant native to the Mediterranean scrub, where it grows on hillsides in semi-arid, but endangered, areas.
It is a pioneer plant and, like many Fabaceae, enriches the soil with nitrogen through symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. It is therefore useful in the restoration of degraded soils.
It prefers sunny locations in well-drained, often sandy or rocky, soil that is poor in nutrients.
Its ideal climate is Mediterranean or semi-arid, where it tolerates short periods of drought.
It is a hardy plant that requires little water and tolerates difficult conditions.
Propagation is by seed (in spring), but the seeds may require scarification to promote germination.
Uses and Traditions –
Adenocarpus commutatus is a plant known generically as spiny broom, although this name is not specific to this species.
This species can be used to stabilize soil and prevent erosion in hilly areas or areas prone to desertification.
As for other uses, no food or medicinal uses are documented; There is no documentary evidence for this last use, although, like other Mediterranean legumes, it may have been used in local folk medicine for secondary purposes (e.g., mild infusions or decoctions for topical use). However, there is no consolidated scientific evidence of its effects.
Some species of the Adenocarpus genus are used as livestock fodder, especially in arid environments where other plants do not grow easily.
From an ecological perspective, the flowers attract pollinating insects, and it is possible that it plays a small role in local beekeeping. As mentioned, it may be useful for preventing erosion in hilly areas or areas prone to desertification, or in traditional agricultural practices for maintaining soil fertility.
Preparation Method –
Adenocarpus commutatus is a plant for which there are few direct sources regarding specific folk traditions, food, or medicinal uses. However, in the ethnobotanical context of North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula, plants of the Adenocarpus genus can be considered symbols of resilience and resistance due to their ability to grow in hostile environments.
Guido Bissanti
Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (eds.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora d’Italia, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy: Advice and Experiences with Medicinal Herbs, Ennsthaler Publishers.
Photo source:
– https://floraveg.eu/taxon/overview/Adenocarpus%20complicatus
– https://dryades.units.it/floritaly/index.php?procedure=taxon_page&tipo=all&id=2321
Warning: The pharmaceutical applications and dietary uses are provided for informational purposes only and do not in any way constitute medical prescriptions. We therefore decline any responsibility for their use for curative, aesthetic, or nutritional purposes.