White Buttons

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• White Buttons

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Achillea biaristata
• Anacyclus aristulatus
• Anacyclus candolii
• Anacyclus capillifolius
• Anacyclus divaricatus
• Anacyclus mucronulatus
• Anacyclus pubescens
• Anacyclus tomentosus
• Anthemis tubaeformis
• Chamaemelum incrassatum
• Anthemis australis
• Anthemis biaristata
• Anthemis clavata
• Anthemis pubescens

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and order Asterales, it is specifically nested in the family Asteraceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Anacyclus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of locations across the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be specifically identified within the borders of Norway. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is also found distributed throughout Belgium. The plant's habitat extends further into Germany and Poland as well. Finally, its geographical reach includes the mountainous regions of Switzerland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Anacyclus clavatus is defined by its adaptability to a wide range of altitudinal gradients, occupying various habitats within a broad vertical distribution. The species can be found at elevations starting from sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum altitude of 600 m AMSL. This specific elevational range suggests that the plant thrives primarily in lowland to mid-elevation environments, where it likely interacts with diverse soil compositions and microclimates characteristic of these lower topographical zones.

Elevational range max:

600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Anacyclus clavatus is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental progression from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it is classified as a therophyte, a life form that survives unfavorable environmental periods as ephemeral seeds, allowing it to rapidly colonize available habitats when conditions become suitable. This therophytic nature is consistent across its biological classification, defining its strategy for enduring seasonal fluctuations by avoiding perennial vegetative growth in favor of a rapid, seed-based survival mechanism.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Anacyclus clavatus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It functions as an independent plant, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, and maintains a primarily terrestrial habitat, though it can inhabit aquatic and semiaquatic environments. The plant is self-supporting rather than being a vine or liana, exhibiting an erect shoot orientation. In terms of stature, it is a small-statured species with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Anacyclus clavatus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic process where carbon fixation occurs directly through the Calvin cycle, making it highly efficient in temperate or shaded environments where water loss minimization is less critical than in C4 or CAM species. This metabolic framework supports the plant's energy production and structural development. Morphologically, the plant's physiological efficiency is integrated with its leaf structure, which exhibits a pinnate leaf form, allowing for an optimized surface area to facilitate gas exchange and light absorption necessary for sustaining its C3 carbon fixation processes.

Leaf form :

pinnate

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Anacyclus clavatus is characterized by a distinct flowering period that typically commences in April and concludes in June. During this stage, the plant produces white flowers that vary in size, with lengths ranging from 0.7 cm to a maximum of 1.4 cm and widths spanning from 1.5 cm to 4.5 cm. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of an achene. These fruits are relatively small, measuring between 0.25 cm and 0.45 cm in length, and are classified as indehiscent, meaning they do not split open at maturity to release their contents. The seeds produced are extremely fine, maintaining a consistent mass of approximately 5e-04 g, with no variation observed between the minimum, maximum, and mean seed weights.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Flower colour :

white

Flower length max:

1.4 cm

Flower length min:

0.7 cm

Flower width max:

4.5 cm

Flower width min:

1.5 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit length max:

0.45 cm

Fruit length min:

0.25 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Seed mass mean:

5e-04 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Anacyclus clavatus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower.

Flower

1. Natural product research

Chemicals

Anacyclus clavatus has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Artemisia ketone, Flavonoid, Pinocarvone.

Artemisia ketone

1. Natural product research

Flavonoid

1. Natural product research

Pinocarvone

1. Natural product research

Preparations

Anacyclus clavatus has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include essential oil.

Essential oil

1. Natural product research