Aloysia deserticola

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Acantholippia deserticola
• Acantholippia punenis
• Lippia deserticola

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Aloysiia deserticola, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Lamiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Verbenaceae and the genus Aloysia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range located primarily within the South American continent. In Western South America, its presence is documented within the borders of Bolivia. Moving toward the southern part of the continent, it can be found throughout Northwest Argentina. Additionally, the species extends its reach into the northern regions of Chile. Together, these locations define the natural habitat for Aloysiia deserticola.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aloysiia deserticola is characterized by its adaptation to high-altitude environments, thriving within a specific montane niche. This species is primarily found across an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 2300 m AMSL to a maximum of 3500 m AMSL. Occupying these upper altitudinal belts, the plant is subject to the unique climatic conditions of high-elevation ecosystems, which typically involve lower temperatures, increased UV exposure, and distinct moisture regimes compared to lowland habitats. Its ability to persist within this 1200-meter vertical gradient indicates a specialized physiological capacity to manage the environmental stressors inherent to these high-altitude landscapes.

Elevational range max:

3500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Aloysiia deserticola is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons within its natural habitat. In terms of its structural development and survival strategies, it exhibits distinct life forms, manifesting as both a nanophanerophyte and a phanerophyte depending on environmental conditions and growth stages. This dual classification reflects its ability to maintain woody stems or specialized growth patterns that facilitate long-term survival in its specific ecological niche.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aloysiia deserticola is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a shrub. This plant is categorized as a terrestrial species, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. In terms of its structural habit, it is a self-supporting plant, meaning it does not require external structures for climbing and is not an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Aloysia deserticola has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal.

Antifungal

1. Archives of oral biology

Preparations

Aloysia deserticola has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Essential oils from aerial parts, extracts.

Essential oils from aerial parts

1. Natural product research

Extracts

1. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology