| Cissus subaphylla | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Vitales |
| Family: | Vitaceae |
| Genus: | Cissus |
| Species: | C. subaphylla |
| Binomial name | |
| Cissus subaphylla (Balf.f.) Planch. |
|
Cissus subaphylla is a low shrub in the grape family Vitaceae, endemic to the island of Socotra belonging to Yemen, and growing mainly in dry, low-lying areas on alluvial fans or on limestone slopes, rarely found above 300 m where it is replaced by C. hamaderohensis. It does not have the climbing habit of other Cissus species, while its stems are flattened and gray-green in colour, its leaves and flowers being relatively small. The tangled mats of Cissus subaphylla stems act as a protective covering for plants regularly eaten by goats and assorted browsing animals, and thus is important in the rehabilitation of species such as Dendrosicyos, Maerua, Commiphora and others.[1][2]
The plant life on Socotra is critically threatened - of 216 plant species endemic to Socotra and its neighbour Abd al Kuri, 132 are believed to be threatened and of these 85 face immediate extinction. This situation is the direct result of livestock being introduced to an island flora which has never been subjected to large grazing and browsing mammals, and thus has had no time to evolve any defence.[3]
Cissus subaphylla is one of the dominant plant species found on the island's coastal plains and low inland mountains. It grows in particular association with Salvadora persica and Croton socotranus, but is also found with Jatropha unicostata, Pulicaria stephanocarpa, Dendrosicyos socotrana, and Adenium obesum. subsp. sokotranum. About 270 of the island's 828 plant species are endemic.