Blistering ammannia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Blistering Ammania
• monarch redstem

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hapalocarpum indicum
• Ammannia baccifera subsp. viridis
• Cryptotheca apetala
• Ammannia densiflora
• Ammannia discolor
• Ammannia glauca
• Ammannia retusa
• Celosia nana
• Ammannia auriculata var. subsessilis
• Ammannia baccifera var. micromerioides
• Ammannia baccifera f. altissima
• Ammannia baccifera subsp. contracta
• Ammannia baccifera subf. expansa
• Ammannia baccifera f. glauca
• Ammannia attenuata
• Ammannia attenuata var. latifolia
• Ammannia attenuata var. micromerioides
• Ammannia attenuata f. vigens
• Ammannia apiculata
• Ammannia baccifera f. pseudoaegyptica
• Ammannia indica
• Ammannia vescicatoria
• Ammannia viridis
• Celosia bicolor
• Hapalocarpum vesicatorium

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Ammannia bacciifera, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae under the order Myrtales. Finally, it is a member of the family Lythraceae and the genus Ammannia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning multiple continents and diverse climates. In Europe, it can be found across Southeastern Europe in Greece and throughout Eastern Europe in South European Russia. Its presence extends into Northern Africa, specifically within the borders of Egypt. Furthermore, the species is located in West Tropical Africa, occurring in both Benin and Burkina. This wide range highlights the adaptability of the species across different regional environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ammannia baccifera is characterized by its presence in specific anthropogenic and montane environments, frequently occurring within crop fields. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, thriving at various elevations across its range. Its habitat spans from a minimum elevation of 800 m AMSL to a maximum of 1800 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range centered around 1900 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

800 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields

Life history

The life history of Ammannia baccifera is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its structural growth strategy and ecological classification, it is categorized as a therophyte, a life form defined by plants that survive unfavorable seasons as ephemeral seeds. This strategy allows the species to rapidly colonize suitable habitats, utilizing its seasonal growth to maximize reproductive output before the onset of adverse environmental conditions.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Ammannia baccifera is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This plant is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, functioning as an independent organism rather than an epiphyte or parasite. It exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit, though it does not require external structures like lianas or vines to maintain its position. The shoot orientation is predominantly erect, allowing the plant to grow upright from the ground. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species with a plant height that ranges from 0 m to a maximum of approximately 0.61 m, maintaining a mean height of roughly 0.4 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.609607413 m

Plant height mean:

0.4 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ammannia bacciifera is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle for carbon fixation without the specialized adaptations found in C4 or CAM plants. In terms of nutrient acquisition, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, instead relying on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ammannia baccifera is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and the production of minute seeds. The flowering period typically commences in July and concludes in August, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. Following successful pollination, the plant produces very small seeds, which exhibit a mean mass of approximately 1.5e-05 g. These seeds fall within a narrow size range, with a minimum mass recorded at 1e-05 g and a maximum mass reaching up to 2e-05 g.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Seed mass max:

2e-05 g

Seed mass mean:

1.5e-05 g

Seed mass min:

1e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ammannia baccifera has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include RUTIN, aspirin, betulinic acid, ellagic acid, morphine.

RUTIN

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

aspirin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

betulinic acid

1. Dr. Duke

ellagic acid

1. Journal of chromatographic science

morphine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Ammannia baccifera has 19 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticarcinomic.

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antileukemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke

Antimelanomic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Ammannia baccifera has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Urinary stones, inflammation, tumor.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations