marsh para cress

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• marsh para cress

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ceratocephalus acmella var. uliginosa
• Ceratocephalus acmella var. depauperata
• Coreopsis acmella var. uliginosa
• Jaegeria uliginosa
• Spilanthes acmella var. uliginosa
• Spilanthes charitopis
• Spilanthes iabadicensis
• Spilanthes lundii
• Spilanthes salzmannii
• Spilanthes uliginosa
• Spilanthes uliginosa var. discoidea
• Acmella uliginosa var. pentamera

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Asterales. Finally, it is classified under the family Asteraceae within the genus Acmella.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Acmella uliginosa, exhibits a specific distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented in the nation of Benin, where it thrives in local ecosystems. Additionally, it can be found growing within the borders of Burkina. The species also extends its range into Guinea-Bissau and the country of Guinea. Finally, its geographical footprint includes the territory of Ivory Coast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Acmeilla uliginosa is characterized by a diverse range of environmental conditions, spanning an elevational range from a minimum of 49 m AMSL to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant ecological plasticity by inhabiting various distinct biomes and vegetation types, including the open grasslands of Campo Limpo, the tropical savanna ecosystems of the Cerrado (latu sensu), and the humid environments of the Ombrophilous Forest (also known as Floresta Pluvial).

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

49 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campo Limpo, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Acmella uliginosa is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental sequence from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its botanical architecture and survival strategy, it is classified as a therophyte, a life form that survives unfavorable periods as ephemeral seeds rather than through persistent vegetative organs. This classification is consistent across its morphological descriptions, identifying it specifically as a therophyte under both life form categorization systems.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Acmella uliginosa is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, typically exhibiting a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber or vine. This herb maintains a relatively low stature, with a mean plant height of approximately 0.3 m and a maximum height reaching up to 0.4 m. As a terrestrial organism, it grows independently in its environment, lacking parasitic tendencies and functioning as a non-epiphytic, terrestrial species. Its physical structure is defined by its herbaceous, non-woody nature, which supports its upright, self-supporting habit in its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height mean:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Acmella uliginosa is characterized by its metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies, particularly regarding its interaction with soil chemistry. In terms of its symbiotic capabilities, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules or the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form. Consequently, its physiological growth and development are heavily dependent on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium directly from the soil environment. The plant's metabolic pathways are geared toward the synthesis of secondary metabolites, such as alkylamides, which are produced as part of its chemical defense mechanisms. These physiological processes are regulated by environmental factors including light intensity, temperature, and soil moisture, which influence the rate of photosynthesis and the subsequent allocation of carbon resources toward both structural growth and the production of bioactive compounds.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

Reproduction in Acmella uliginosa is facilitated through the production of small, lightweight seeds that play a critical role in its dispersal and establishment. The reproductive efficiency of the species is characterized by specific seed mass metrics, where the average seed mass (Seed_mass_mean) is recorded at 9.5e-05 g. There is notable variability in the size of the offspring, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum (Seed_mass_min) of 6e-05 g to a maximum (Seed_mass_max) of 0.00016 g. This variation in seed mass contributes to the plant's ability to colonize diverse microhabitats within its ecosystem.

Seed mass max:

0.00016 g

Seed mass mean:

9.5e-05 g

Seed mass min:

6e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Acmella uliginosa has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, flower.

Leaf

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
2. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Flower

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Chemicals

Acmella uliginosa has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoid, Lignan, SAPONIN, Tannin, coumarin.

Flavonoid

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Lignan

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

SAPONIN

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Tannin

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

coumarin

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

triterpene

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Activities

Acmella uliginosa has 7 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antibiotic, Antifungal, Antimicrobial.

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antibacterial

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antibiotic

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antifungal

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antimicrobial

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antinociceptive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Medicinal Uses

Acmella uliginosa has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include infectious diseases, mouth ulcers, pain, sore throat, toothache.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations