bristly starburr

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• bristly starburr
• hispid starburr
• bristly starbur
• goat's-head
• starbur
• Bindii
• Upright Star Bur

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Acanthospermum humile var. hispidum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further organized into the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Acanthospermum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread geographical distribution that spans across multiple continents and climate zones. In Middle Europe, its presence can be documented in Belgium. Moving toward the African continent, it is found in Egypt within Northern Africa. Its range extends to the Macaronesian islands, specifically reaching Cape Verde. Finally, the species is established in West Tropical Africa, occurring in both Benin and Burkina.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Acanthospermum hispidum is characterized by its significant adaptability to diverse environmental conditions, spanning a broad vertical distribution. This species can be found across a wide elevational range, starting from sea level at 0 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum altitude of 2500 m AMSL. Its habitat preference is notably linked to anthropogenic environments (Área Antrópica), where it often thrives in disturbed landscapes, roadsides, and areas modified by human activity.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Genetics

The genetics of Acanthospermum hispidum are characterized by a complex chromosomal architecture and varying levels of genomic composition. The species exhibits significant chromosomal polymorphism, with documented chromosome numbers including 22, 40, and 48. Furthermore, the plant typically maintains a ploidy level of 2, indicating a diploid state within its genetic structure.

Chromosome number :

22, 40, 48

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Acanthospermum hispidum is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, meaning it completes its entire developmental cycle—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. As a therophyte, its life strategy focuses on rapid growth and the production of a large number of seeds to ensure survival, typically retreating into a dormant seed stage during unfavorable environmental conditions. This life form dictates that the plant survives the non-growing season solely through its seeds, which remain in the soil until the onset of favorable moisture and temperature conditions. Consequently, its presence in an ecosystem is highly dependent on seasonal cycles and successful seed dispersal.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Acanthospermum hispidum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial plant is self-supporting and does not function as a climber or an epiphyte, nor does it exhibit parasitic behavior, maintaining an independent lifestyle. The shoots exhibit an erect orientation, supporting a stature that varies depending on environmental conditions; the plant typically reaches a minimum height of 0.2 m, with a mean height of approximately 0.5 m, and can attain a maximum height of up to 1.3 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.3 m

Plant height mean:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Acanthospermum hispidum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency under standard environmental conditions. Morphologically, its foliar structures exhibit significant variability in dimensions, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 12.5 cm, while the leaf width fluctuates between 1 cm and 7 cm. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, relying instead on available soil nutrients for its nutritional requirements.

Leaf length max:

12.5 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

7 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Acanthospermum hispidum is characterized by the production of specialized fruits classified as achenes. These fruits are indehiscent, meaning they do not spontaneously split open at maturity to release their contents. The dimensions of the fruit vary, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.4 cm to a maximum of 0.7 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds exhibit a relatively consistent mass; the individual seed mass typically averages approximately 0.007405 g, with recorded values fluctuating between a minimum of 0.00725 g and a maximum of 0.00756 g.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Fruit length max:

0.7 cm

Fruit length min:

0.4 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Seed mass max:

0.00756 g

Seed mass mean:

0.007405 g

Seed mass min:

0.00725 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Acanthospermum hispidum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. International journal of immunopharmacology
2. Antiviral research

Chemicals

Acanthospermum hispidum has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include EO, Flavonoids, Hydrolyzable Tannins, Steroids, Tannins.

EO

1. Dr. Duke

Flavonoids

1. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry

Hydrolyzable Tannins

1. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry

Steroids

1. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry

Tannins

1. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry

Terpenes

1. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry

quercetin glucoside

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

tridecapentaynene

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Acanthospermum hispidum has 9 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiparasitic, Anticholinesterase, Antimalarial, Antioxidant, Antiplasmodial.

Antiparasitic

1. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anticholinesterase

1. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry

Antimalarial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry

Antiplasmodial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diuretic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hepatoprotective

1. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry

Hypoglycemic

1. Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry

Hypotensive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Acanthospermum hispidum has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum, malaria, Leishmania mexicana mexicana, Trypanosoma brucei brucei, antimalarial.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations