Harpagophytum procumbens is a geophyte with a positively
gravitropical tuberous main root, from which plagiotropical
thick secondary roots develop. The genus Harpagophytum is
composed of two species (Harpagophytum zeyheri and
H. procumbens) which are perennial herbs with creeping
stems that sprout every year from the main root. Secondary root
tubers, which can reach a length of 5–25 cm, grow from the
main root (parent tuber). It is these secondary tubers that are
harvested for medicinal purposes containing active ingredients
that have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties (Cole and
Strohbach, 2005). The plant is called devil's claw because of
the very sharp and hooked form of the fruit (Cole and
Strohbach, 2005). The fruit comprises a flattened woody
capsule with spiny appendages on each carpel (Hachfeld,
2003). Recruitment rates are low with only a few seedlings
surviving the first year. Despite these life history traits,
H. procumbens is considered a pioneer or even ‘weedy’ species
and is often found growing in areas where the soil has been
disturbed or where grazing pressure is high. In established
plants, annual shoot growth from the perennial tuber begins
after summer rain (usually October/November) and the shoots
die back between April and June as a prelude to winter
dormancy (Cole and Strohbach, 2005).
Harpagophytum procumbens is a geophyte with a positivelygravitropical tuberous main root, from which plagiotropicalthick secondary roots develop. The genus Harpagophytum iscomposed of two species (Harpagophytum zeyheri andH. procumbens) which are perennial herbs with creepingstems that sprout every year from the main root. Secondary roottubers, which can reach a length of 5–25 cm, grow from themain root (parent tuber). It is these secondary tubers that areharvested for medicinal purposes containing active ingredientsthat have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties (Cole andStrohbach, 2005). The plant is called devil's claw because ofthe very sharp and hooked form of the fruit (Cole andStrohbach, 2005). The fruit comprises a flattened woodycapsule with spiny appendages on each carpel (Hachfeld,2003). Recruitment rates are low with only a few seedlingssurviving the first year. Despite these life history traits,H. procumbens is considered a pioneer or even ‘weedy’ speciesand is often found growing in areas where the soil has beendisturbed or where grazing pressure is high. In establishedplants, annual shoot growth from the perennial tuber beginsafter summer rain (usually October/November) and the shootsdie back between April and June as a prelude to winterdormancy (Cole and Strohbach, 2005).
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