Apache-beads

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Apache-beads
• Lizard Tail
• Yerba Mansa

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aponogeton involucratus
• Houttuynia californica
• Anemopsis bolanderi
• Anemopsis californica var. subglabra
• Anemopsis ludovicisalvatoris
• Anemia californica

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 and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Piperales and categorized in the family Saururaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Anemopsis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions of the United States. In the Northwestern U.S.A., its presence can be found in both Colorado and Oregon. Moving toward the middle of the country, it is located within the North-Central U.S.A. in Kansas and Oklahoma. Additionally, the species extends into the Southwestern U.S.A., specifically within the state of Arizona. Together, these locations demonstrate the diverse environmental range inhabited by Anemopsis californica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Anemopsis californica is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons within its native habitats. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or the substrate during unfavorable environmental conditions. This life strategy enables the species to endure seasonal fluctuations, emerging from its dormant state to complete its reproductive cycle as part of a long-term survival strategy.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

Morphologically, Anemopsis californica is characterized as a non-woody herb and forb that typically reaches a mean plant height of approximately 0.46 m. This plant follows a self-supporting growth habit, lacking the climbing mechanisms found in lianas or vines. It functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite and is strictly terrestrial in its ecological niche, though it can exist within aquatic, semiaquatic, or terrestrial environments depending on the specific habitat context.

Aquatic :

aquatic

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.46 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

Reproduction in Anemopsis californica is primarily facilitated through the production of specialized seeds that exhibit high levels of uniformity in their physical properties. The reproductive output of the species is characterized by a very fine seed mass, which plays a critical role in its dispersal and establishment strategies. Quantitative analysis of the seeds reveals a mean seed mass of 0.000361 g, indicating a highly standardized investment per offspring. This precision is further evidenced by a narrow range of variation, with the seed mass spanning from a minimum of 0.00035 g to a maximum of 0.00038 g. Such minimal deviation in mass suggests a highly regulated developmental process during seed maturation, ensuring that each unit produced is optimized for successful germination within its ecological niche.

Seed mass max:

0.00038 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000361 g

Seed mass min:

0.00035 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Anemopsis californica has 3 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, rhizome, root.

Leaf

1. Acta biologica Hungarica

Rhizome

1. Phytochemistry

Root

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Anemopsis californica has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,8-Cineole, ALPHA-PINENE, CYMENE, Elemicin, Eugenol methyl ether.

1,8-Cineole

1. Phytochemistry

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Phytochemistry

CYMENE

1. Phytochemistry

Elemicin

1. Phytochemistry

Eugenol methyl ether

1. Dr. Duke

Isoeugenol

1. Phytochemistry

LIMONENE

1. Phytochemistry

METHYLEUGENOL

1. Phytochemistry

Myrtenol

1. Phytochemistry

PIPERITONE

1. Phytochemistry

Activities

Anemopsis californica has 5 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include CNS-Depressant, Cancer-Preventive, DNA-Binder, Hypothermic, Myorelaxant.

CNS-Depressant

1. Dr. Duke

Cancer-Preventive

1. Dr. Duke

DNA-Binder

1. Dr. Duke

Hypothermic

1. Dr. Duke

Myorelaxant

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Anemopsis californica has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include HeLa cells, breast cancer.

Hela cells

1. Phytochemistry

Breast cancer

1. Oncology reports

Preparations

Anemopsis californica has 3 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Steam distilled oil, botanical extracts, essential oils.

Steam distilled oil

1. Phytochemistry

Botanical extracts

1. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)

Essential oils

1. Lloydia