Paraguayan starburr

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Spiny-bur
• Paraguay-bur
• Paraguay-starbur
• sheepbur
• Australian Starbur
• Brazilian Starbur
• Creeping Starbur
• Eight-Seeded Prostrate Starbur
• Khakibush
• Paraguay Bur
• Paraguayan starburr
• Prostrate Star Bur
• Sheep Starbur
• Upright Starburr
• Paraguayan starbur

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Centrospermum xanthioides
• Acanthospermum brasilium
• Melampodium australe
• Acanthospermum hirsutum
• Acanthospermum xanthioides
• Orcya adhaerens
• Acanthospermum xanthioides var. obtusifolium
• Acanthospermum xanthioides var. acutifolium

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is a member of the Asteraceae family. Its scientific classification concludes with the genus Acanthospermum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans across multiple continents. In Middle Europe, its presence can be documented within the borders of Germany. Moving toward the equatorial regions, it is found throughout West-Central Tropical Africa in both Cameroon and the DR Congo. The distribution also extends into South Tropical Africa, specifically within the country of Angola. Finally, its reach continues further east to include the nation of Mozambique.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Acanthospermum australe is characterized by its broad adaptability to varying altitudes and its ability to thrive in human-altered environments. This species exhibits a significant elevational range, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) to a maximum altitude of 1900 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 1162.5 m AMSL. Regarding its preferred environmental settings, the plant is frequently found in "Área Antrópica" (anthropic areas), indicating a strong tendency to colonize disturbed habitats, agricultural lands, and sites shaped by human activity.

Elevational range max:

1900 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1162.5 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Genetics

The genetics of Acanthospermum australe are characterized by specific karyotypic variations that play a role in its biological complexity. Scientific analysis of its chromosomal makeup reveals a degree of plasticity in its genome, with observed chromosome numbers documented at both 20 and 22. This variation in the diploid number suggests potential mechanisms of chromosomal evolution or polyploidy within the species, which may influence its adaptive capacity and genetic diversity across different environmental niches.

Chromosome number :

20, 22

Life history

The life history of Acanthospermum australe is characterized by its status as an annual plant, meaning it completes its entire biological cycle—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. The lifecycle begins when seeds, often dispersed by animals due to their hooked spines, encounter suitable soil conditions. As the plant matures, it undergoes rapid vegetative growth, developing its characteristic opposite leaves and branching stems to maximize photosynthetic capacity. Once sufficient energy reserves are accumulated, the plant transitions into its reproductive phase, producing small, inconspicuous flowers that eventually develop into distinctive, prickly fruits. After these fruits are successfully dispersed, the individual plant reaches the end of its life, leaving behind a seed bank to ensure the continuation of the species in subsequent seasons.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Acanthospermum australe is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. Structurally, it is a self-supporting plant, lacking the climbing or vine-like habits of lianas. The plant exhibits a relatively small stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.8 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.377 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.8 m

Plant height mean:

0.377401853 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of Acanthospermum australe are closely tied to its leaf morphology, which dictates its photosynthetic efficiency and surface area for gas exchange. The leaf dimensions exhibit significant variability, with a mean leaf length of 3 cm, though individual leaves can range from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 4 cm. This longitudinal variation is complemented by a width profile that fluctuates between a minimum of 0.8 cm and a maximum of 3 cm. Such morphological plasticity in leaf size and shape allows the plant to optimize light interception and regulate transpiration rates across varying environmental conditions.

Leaf length max:

4 cm

Leaf length mean:

3 cm

Leaf length min:

1.5 cm

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width min:

0.8 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Acanthospermum australe is characterized by the production of specialized fruit structures categorized as achenes. These fruits are indehiscent, meaning they do not split open at maturity to release their contents. The size of the fruit varies slightly, with an average length of 0.8 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 0.9 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds are produced with a highly consistent mass, maintaining a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 0.01106 g, ensuring a uniform seed weight for dispersal and germination.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Fruit length max:

0.9 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.8 cm

Fruit length min:

0.7 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Seed mass mean:

0.01106 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Acanthospermum australe has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 6-epi-Ophiobolin K, Flavonoids, Ophiobolin K, SILVER, Saponins.

6-epi-Ophiobolin K

1. Natural product research

Flavonoids

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Ophiobolin K

1. Natural product research

SILVER

1. Scientific reports

Saponins

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Tannins

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Medicinal Uses

Acanthospermum australe has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, diarrhea, dyspepsia, fever, gastrointestinal disorders.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations