wild sunflower

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aspilia aspilioides
• Aspilia chrysops
• Aspilia holstii
• Aspilia ritellii
• Aspilia tanganyikensis
• Aspilia vernayi
• Aspilia wedeliiformis
• Menotriche strigosa
• Seruneum mossambicense
• Seruneum strigosum
• Bidens aspilioides
• Wedelia abyssinica
• Wedelia diversipapposa
• Wedelia menotriche
• Wedelia mossambicensis
• Wedelia ringoetii
• Coreopsis aspilioides

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 Asterales and falls into the family Asteraceae. Ultimately, its scientific classification places it within the genus Aspilia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across the African continent. Within West-Central Tropical Africa, its presence is recorded in both Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The species also extends into Northeast Tropical Africa, where it can be found in Eritrea. Furthermore, its distribution continues through Ethiopia and Somalia within the same northeastern region. Consequently, the geographical footprint of Aspilia mossambiencis spans multiple distinct ecological zones.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aspilia mossambicensis is characterized by a broad altitudinal adaptability, allowing it to colonize diverse topographical landscapes. This species exhibits a significant vertical distribution, thriving in habitats ranging from low-lying areas at an elevation of 16 m AMSL to high-altitude environments reaching up to 3020 m AMSL. Such a vast elevational range suggests that the plant is capable of tolerating diverse microclimates, varying temperature gradients, and shifting moisture regimes across its natural range. This ecological plasticity enables it to persist in a wide variety of ecosystems, from tropical lowland settings to montane zones.

Elevational range max:

3020 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

16 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Aspilia mossambicensis is characterized by its classification as a perennial organism, meaning it is capable of living for multiple years rather than completing its biological cycle within a single growing season. As a perennial species, it maintains a persistent presence in its habitat, often utilizing established root systems or rhizomatous structures to survive through unfavorable periods and re-emerge during optimal environmental conditions. This life cycle allows the plant to invest energy into long-term survival and repeated reproductive efforts over several years, contributing to its ability to establish stable populations within its native ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aspilia mossambicensis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, existing as a self-supporting organism that does not require climbing structures. As a terrestrial species, it functions as an independent plant rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant exhibits significant variability in its stature, with a minimum height of 0.1 m and a maximum height reaching 1.5 m, although the average plant height is recorded at approximately 2.25 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

2.25 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Aspilia mossambicensis is characterized by the production of specialized seeds that exhibit specific mass variations. Based on quantitative data, the seed mass of this species is relatively small, with a recorded mean mass of 0.002366667 g. The distribution of seed weights shows a range of variability, with the lightest individual seeds measuring a minimum of 0.00182 g and the heaviest seeds reaching a maximum of 0.00338 g. This consistency in seed mass suggests a standardized reproductive strategy aimed at optimizing dispersal and establishment within its ecological niche.

Seed mass max:

0.00338 g

Seed mass mean:

0.002366667 g

Seed mass min:

0.00182 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Aspilia mossambicensis has 2 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, root.

Leaf

1. Phytochemistry
2. International journal of veterinary science and medicine

Root

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Aspilia mossambicensis has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Grandiflorenic acid, Kaurenoic acid.

Grandiflorenic acid

1. Phytochemistry

Kaurenoic acid

1. Phytochemistry

Activities

Aspilia mossambicensis has 2 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal, Antimalarial.

Antifungal

1. Phytochemistry

Antimalarial

1. African journal of health sciences

Preparations

Aspilia mossambicensis has 7 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude extracts, extracts, fractions-1,4 and 5, leaf powders, leaves.

Crude extracts

1. African journal of health sciences

Extracts

1. African journal of health sciences

Fractions-1,4 and 5

1. African journal of health sciences

Leaf powders

1. International journal of veterinary science and medicine

Leaves

1. Phytochemistry

Roots

1. Phytochemistry

Total extract

1. African journal of health sciences