Acmella uliginosa
Acmella uliginosa · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (5 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Acmella uliginosa is a notable plant species frequently studied for its potent medicinal properties, including antibacterial, antibiotic, antifungal, and antimicrobial activities. The leaves and flowers of this plant serve as primary sources for extracting valuable bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, lignans, saponins, and tannins. Through various preparations like aqueous, ethanol, and dichloromethane extracts, researchers can isolate these chemicals to combat diverse biological threats. Specifically, these extracts demonstrate a significant capacity to neutralize free radicals and inhibit the growth of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Furthermore, the plant shows great promise in its ability to effectively target and suppress various types of fungi.
- Synonyms
- Ceratocephalus Acmella Var. Uliginosa · Ceratocephalus Acmella Var. Depauperata · 10 more
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Distribution
- Not available
- Plant Parts
- Leaf · Flower
Classification
Common Names
Acmella uliginosa is a botanical species known by several distinct regional names across different cultures. In the Lesser Antilles, it is affectionately referred to as Bouton d'or. It is also frequently identified by the French terms Creosote pays or Créosote pays. Furthermore, the plant carries the descriptive names Herbe mal aux dents and Herbe mal dents. These various common names highlight the diverse linguistic traditions surrounding this unique plant.
Sources: Catalogue of Life (COL)
Synonyms
Acmella uliginosa is a botanical subject characterized by a complex web of taxonomic synonyms. Within scientific literature, this plant is frequently identified by its various forms, such as Acmella uliginosa var. pentamera. It also shares historical classifications with names like Ceratocephalus acmella var. depauperata and Ceratocephalus acmella var. uliginosa. Researchers may further encounter it under the labels Coreopsis acmella var. uliginosa or Jaegeria uliginosa depending on the specific botanical framework used. Understanding these diverse nomenclatural relationships is essential for accurate plant identification and study.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Taxonomy
Acmella uliginosa is a distinct member of the kingdom Plantae. Within this vast biological realm, the species is classified under the class Equisetopsida. It further belongs to the order Asterales, showcasing its evolutionary connections. This plant is a proud representative of the genus Acmella. Finally, its botanical lineage is completed by its placement within the family Asteraceae.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Genus | Acmella |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Acmella uliginosa is a plant species with a widespread distribution across the African continent. Its presence is noted throughout Northeast Tropical Africa, specifically within the borders of Chad. The species also thrives across several regions of West Tropical Africa, including Benin and Burkina. Furthermore, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. This broad geographic range highlights the plant's adaptability to diverse tropical environments.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Acmella uliginosa is a delicate herb characterized by its compact and self-supporting growth form. This plant maintains a low profile in its natural habitat, typically reaching a maximum height of only 0.3 meters. In certain conditions, it may extend slightly further, reaching an upper limit of 0.4 meters. Such a small stature makes it an ideal choice for groundcover or specialized garden arrangements.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Acmella uliginosa is a flowering plant from the Asteraceae family that serves as a significant leafy vegetable in Benin. Scientific evaluations have demonstrated that this plant possesses potent antimicrobial properties, including significant antibacterial and antifungal activities. Its traditional use as an antibiotic for treating infectious diseases is supported by its ability to inhibit both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, the plant exhibits notable antioxidant activity, which helps in reducing free radicals in a dose-dependent manner. These diverse biological activities highlight the therapeutic potential of Acmella uliginosa, though caution is advised regarding its consumption.
Compounds
Acmella uliginosa is a leafy vegetable from Benin that possesses a diverse array of bioactive secondary metabolites. Detailed phytochemical screening has confirmed that the plant contains important compounds such as flavonoid and lignan. Furthermore, the presence of saponin and tannin contributes to its complex chemical profile. The plant also contains coumarin, which may play a role in its traditional medicinal uses. These various constituents collectively support the plant's recognized antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
Conditions
Acmella uliginosa demonstrates significant bioactivity against Artemia salina, particularly when utilizing its flower extracts. The plant also exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties by effectively treating both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, its extracts possess the ability to inhibit the growth and sporulation of various fungi. Research indicates that the plant also treats free radicals through a dose-dependent scavenging mechanism. Together, these diverse biological activities highlight its potent therapeutic potential.
Preparations
Acmella uliginosa is prepared as dichloromethane extracts, aqueous extracts, and ethanol extracts for various biological evaluations. Research indicates that the plant is also processed as a flower extract and a leaf extract to study its therapeutic potential. Specifically, the dichloromethane and methanol extracts have demonstrated superior biological activities and phytochemical extraction capabilities. In comparative studies, the flower extract of the species has been found to be more active than the leaf extract. These various preparation methods allow for the assessment of the plant's antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic properties.
Parts used
Acmella uliginosa is a significant medicinal plant that offers diverse therapeutic potential through its various morphological parts. Research indicates that both the leaf and the flower are utilized for their bioactive properties in different cultural contexts. In studies involving brine shrimp lethality, it was observed that the flower extract demonstrates higher bioactivity than the leaf extract. Furthermore, the leaves of this species are widely consumed as a leafy vegetable and traditionally used as a natural antibiotic. These findings highlight the importance of evaluating specific plant parts to optimize the medicinal use of Acmella uliginosa.