Calligonum polygonoides L.: a keystone woody plant species of Indian arid thorn forest

Calligonum polygonoides is the keystone and dominating species of this scrubland area. It also ranked as climax species with efficient adaptation and resistance to various abiotic stresses of its native ecosystem. This plant species is also known as a dominant biomass and phytochemical producer with a range of different phytochemicals including calligonolides A and B, butanolides, flavonoids, kaempferol, phenolic acids, quercetin, steroids, steroidal ester, ß-sitosterol, tannins, and terpenoids. C. polygonoides plays a major ecological role in the maintenance of soil binder to prevent desertification by stabilizing moving sand dunes and increasing soil fertility. The increasing anthropogenic activities have led to population disturbances of C. polygonoides and its inclusion in the list of threatened plant species, so there is a need for conservation. The information on the occurrence, botanical description, uses, therapeutic applications, and biological activities of C. polygonoides is compiled in this review. It also covers biotechnological techniques that may help to develop a strategy toward the conservation of this species and ultimately restore the forest diversity and architecture.