Acmella caulirhiza

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Spilanthes caulirhiza
• Spilanthes filicaulis
• Spilanthes africana
• Spilanthes mauritiana
• Eclipta filicaulis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales. Ultimately, it resides in the family Asteraceae and is identified by the genus Acmella.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Acemella caulirhiza, exhibits a specific geographical range across the West Tropical Africa region. Its distribution begins in the country of Benin, where it can be found growing in local habitats. It also extends northward into the territory of Burkina. Furthermore, the species is documented within the borders of Guinea. Finally, its presence is confirmed in both Ivory Coast and Liberia, completing its regional spread.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Acmella caulirhiza is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural development and survival strategy, the species functions as a therophyte, a life form defined by its reliance on specialized survival structures to endure unfavorable environmental conditions. This life form indicates that the plant completes its seasonal growth cycle in a manner typical of ephemeral or highly seasonal species that prioritize rapid development from dormant stages.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Acmella caulirhiza is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, typically reaching an average plant height of 0.6 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior and grows independently as a non-parasitic organism. The plant is self-supporting in its structure, lacking the climbing tendencies of obligate or facultative climbers, and maintains a consistent herbaceous habit throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.6 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Acmella caulirhiza involves complex dispersal mechanisms that facilitate its spread within its environment. The plant exhibits a diverse range of dispersal syndromes, primarily characterized by anemochory, where wind serves as a key agent for moving seeds or propagules. Furthermore, the species demonstrates a broad ecological strategy through multiple dispersal modes, including anemochorous, zoochorous, autochorous, hydrochorous, and unspecialized methods. This multifaceted approach to seed dissemination ensures that the plant can exploit various environmental vectors, ranging from wind and water to animal-assisted movement, thereby enhancing its reproductive success and ability to colonize new habitats.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Acmella caulirhiza has 3 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, leaf, root.

Flower

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Biochemistry research international

Leaf

1. Biochemistry research international

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Acmella caulirhiza has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoid, Flavonoids, Spilanthol, Tannins, piperine.

Flavonoid

1. Annales pharmaceutiques francaises

Flavonoids

1. Biochemistry research international

Spilanthol

1. Annales pharmaceutiques francaises

Tannins

1. Biochemistry research international

piperine

1. Annales pharmaceutiques francaises

Activities

Acmella caulirhiza has 7 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant, Analgesic, Antiapoptotic, Antidiabetic.

Anticancer

1. Annales pharmaceutiques francaises
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antioxidant

1. Annales pharmaceutiques francaises
2. PloS one

Analgesic

1. Annales pharmaceutiques francaises

Antiapoptotic

1. PloS one

Antidiabetic

1. PloS one

Antihyperlipidemic

1. PloS one

Antimicrobial

1. Annales pharmaceutiques francaises

Preparations