Aquarius macrophyllus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sagittaria palifolia var. macrophylla
• Echinodorus macrophyllus
• Alisma macrophyllum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Alismatales and the family Alismataceae. Finally, the medicinal species is identified by its genus, Aquarius, with its specific epithet being macrophyllus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence throughout the South American continent. It is found within the territory of Bolivia in Western South America. Within Brazil, its distribution is quite extensive, spanning across the North and Northeast regions. Additionally, the species can be located in the West-Central parts of the country. Finally, its range extends into the Southeast region of Brazil as well.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aquarius macrophyllus is defined by its specialized existence within aquatic vegetation (Vegetação Aquática), where it thrives in freshwater environments. This species occupies a broad vertical distribution across various landscapes, ranging from sea level up to an elevation of 800 m AMSL. By inhabiting these aquatic ecosystems across such an elevational range, the plant plays a vital role in the structural and biological dynamics of the water bodies it inhabits.

Elevational range max:

800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Vegetação Aquática

Life history

The life history of Aquarius macrophyllus is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its growth habit and structural adaptation to its environment, it is classified as a helophyte, a life form typically found in wetland or marshy habitats where the plant completes part of its cycle in water and part on land. Additionally, its survival strategy involves being a cryptophyte, meaning its regenerative buds are protected underground or at the soil surface to endure unfavorable environmental conditions.

Life form :

helophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aquarius macrophyllus is characterized by its distinct growth form as a non-woody herb. This plant functions as an aquatic species, thriving in water-based environments rather than as an epiphyte or a terrestrial dweller. It is classified as a terrestrial-based organism in terms of its ecological niche, yet it maintains an independent life cycle, meaning it is not a parasite and does not rely on a host for nutrients. In terms of its structural habit, it is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing tendencies, such as those of a liana or vine, nor does it require external support to maintain its upright or floating posture.

Aquatic :

aquatic

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Aquarius macrophyllus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Genetics and molecular biology
2. Journal of natural products
3. Toxicology letters
4. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP

Chemicals

Aquarius macrophyllus has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Echinodolide A, Echinodolide B, Flavonoid, Flavonoids, Isoorientin.

Echinodolide A

1. Journal of natural products

Echinodolide B

1. Journal of natural products

Flavonoid

1. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine

Flavonoids

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Isoorientin

1. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine

Isoorientin 7,3'-dimethyl ether

1. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine

Isovitexin

1. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine

Isovitexin-7-O-glucoside

1. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine

NO

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Swertiajaponin

1. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine

Activities

Aquarius macrophyllus has 6 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiarthritic, Antinociceptive, Apoptotic, Genotoxic, Hepatoprotective.

Antiarthritic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antinociceptive

1. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine

Apoptotic

1. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP

Genotoxic

1. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP

Hepatoprotective

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Mutagenic

1. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP

Preparations