Achyranthes brasiliana

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Brazilian joyweed
• Ruby Leaf
• purple joyweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Philoxerus brasiliana
• Gomphrena brasiliana
• Achyranthes brasiliana
• Telanthera brasiliana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Caryophyllales and the family Amaranthaceae. Finally, it is identified by its scientific genus, Alternanthera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across Africa and the Indian Ocean. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in the nations of Benin, Gambia, and Guinea. The species also extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically within the borders of Cameroon. Furthermore, its range reaches the Western Indian Ocean, where it can be found in the Comoros. Consequently, these locations highlight the diverse tropical environments where the plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Alternanthera brasiliana is characterized by its remarkable adaptability across a vast array of diverse ecosystems and significant altitudinal gradients. It can be found inhabiting a wide variety of environments, ranging from anthropized areas (Área Antrópica) to specialized natural formations such as the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Campo Rupestre, and Restingas. Its distribution also spans various forest types, including Floresta Ciliar or Galeria, Floresta Estacional Perenifólia, Floresta Ombrófila (Pluvial), and Floresta Ombrófila Mista, as well as the Amazônia Savannah (Savana Amazônica). Additionally, the species thrives in vegetation growing over rocky outcrops (Vegetação Sobre Afloramentos Rochosos). This ecological versatility is supported by an expansive elevational range, allowing the plant to colonize territories from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to altitudes of 2500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo Rupestre, Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Perenifólia, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista, Restinga, Savana Amazônica, Vegetação Sobre Afloramentos Rochosos

Life history

The life history of Alternanthe brasiliana is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit and ecological strategy, it is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the majority of the vegetative shoot is located close to the soil surface, often protected by leaf litter or minimal substrate cover. This classification as a chamaephyte applies to both its primary morphological expression and its survival strategy, enabling the species to maintain resilience and establish itself effectively within its native and introduced habitats.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Alternanthera brasiliana is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. It functions as a self-supporting plant rather than an obligatory or facultative climber, exhibiting a scandent shoot orientation. This terrestrial species grows independently and does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant's height is variable, with a mean height of approximately 1 m, though individual specimens can range from a minimum of 1.5 m to a maximum of 4 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Plant height mean:

1 m

Plant height min:

1.5 m

Shoot orientation :

scandent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Alternanthera brasiliana is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its foliage and its metabolic interaction with soil nutrients. The leaves exhibit a notable range in size, with lengths typically spanning from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 8 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width varies between a minimum of 1 cm and a maximum of 2.5 cm. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for its growth.

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

2.5 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Alternanthe brasiliana is characterized by the production of small, specialized fruits categorized as utricles. These fruits are indehiscent, meaning they do not spontaneously split open at maturity to release their contents. The dimensions of the fruit are quite minute, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.15 cm to a maximum of 0.2 cm. Within these structures, the seeds are produced with a highly consistent mass; the mean, minimum, and maximum seed mass are all recorded at 0.00294 g, indicating a very uniform seed size during the reproductive cycle.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Fruit length max:

0.2 cm

Fruit length min:

0.15 cm

Fruit type :

utricle

Seed mass mean:

0.00294 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Alternanthera brasiliana has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Steroids, Flavonoid, Flavonoids, Phytosterols, Terpenes.

Steroids

1. Die Pharmazie
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Phytosterols

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Terpenes

1. Die Pharmazie

Terpenoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

luteolin

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Activities

Alternanthera brasiliana has 5 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antimicrobial, Antispasmodic, Diuretic, Nephroprotective.

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimicrobial

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Antispasmodic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diuretic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Nephroprotective

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Alternanthera brasiliana has 10 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include inflammation, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, cough.

Inflammation

1. Environmental science and pollution research international
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Escherichia coli

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Cough

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diarrhea

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diuresis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Edema

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Pain

1. Die Pharmazie

Wounds

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Alternanthera brasiliana has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include callus culture extracts, hydroethanolic extracts.

Callus culture extracts

1. Die Pharmazie

Hydroethanolic extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology