Asteriscus graveolens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Bubonium graveolens
• Nauplius graveolens
• Buphthalmum graveolens

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Asteriscus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the vast landscapes of Northern Africa. It can be found growing within the borders of Algeria and Egypt. Furthermore, its presence extends throughout the territories of Libya and Morocco. The species also inhabits the diverse environments of Tunisia. Collectively, these five countries represent its key geographical range in the region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Asteriscus graveolens is defined by its distribution across a specific altitudinal gradient, thriving in environments ranging from low-lying areas to moderate elevations. This plant is typically found at altitudes starting from a minimum of 50 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 600 m AMSL. Within this elevational range, its presence is often dictated by the specific soil compositions and moisture availability characteristic of these subtropical or Mediterranean-style landscapes, where it occupies ecological niches that support its specialized growth patterns.

Elevational range max:

600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

50 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Asteriscus graveolens is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit and ecological positioning, it is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the permanent shoots are located close to the soil surface, often protected by a layer of leaf litter or soil. This chamaephyte growth strategy, consistent across its morphological classifications, enables the species to adapt to its specific environmental niches by maintaining low-growing, resilient structures that can withstand varying seasonal conditions.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Asteriscus graveolens is characterized by its growth form as a woody herb, exhibiting a self-supporting structure rather than a climbing habit. This species is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, though it can exist within a spectrum ranging from semiaquatic to aquatic environments. In terms of stature, the plant is relatively low-growing, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of approximately 0.457 m. Furthermore, the plant functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic tendencies in its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.457200914 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Asteriscus graveolens is characterized by specialized morphological adaptations that facilitate metabolic efficiency and environmental resilience. A defining aspect of its vegetative structure is the leaf form, which is distinctly linear, a trait that minimizes surface area to reduce transpirational water loss in arid or semi-arid habitats. This linear leaf morphology influences the plant's photosynthetic capacity and gas exchange dynamics, allowing for optimized light interception while managing thermal stress. The physiological processes of the plant are tightly integrated with its structural morphology, where the narrow, elongated leaf shape serves as a mechanism to maintain turgor pressure and facilitate efficient nutrient transport throughout the vascular system. This structural configuration plays a critical role in the plant's overall resource management and its ability to thrive in specific ecological niches.

Leaf form :

linear

Reproduction

The reproduction of Asteriscus graveolens is characterized by a flowering period that typically begins in March and concludes in June, though the timing can be variable across different months. The plant produces yellow flowers that vary in size, with a minimum length of 0.3 cm and a maximum length of 1.2 cm, while the flower width can reach up to 2 cm. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of an achene. These fruits are indehiscent, meaning they do not open at maturity to release seeds. The seeds themselves exhibit significant variability in mass, ranging from a minimum of 0.00044 g to a maximum of 0.28844 g, with an average seed mass of approximately 0.14444 g. Dispersal of the progeny is facilitated via a hydrochorous syndrome, where water serves as the primary medium for transporting the seeds to new locations.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flower length max:

1.2 cm

Flower length min:

0.3 cm

Flower width max:

2 cm

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit type :

achene

Seed mass max:

0.28844 g

Seed mass mean:

0.14444 g

Seed mass min:

0.00044 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Asteriscus graveolens 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 flower, leaf, stem.

Flower

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Leaf

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Stem

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Chemicals

Asteriscus graveolens has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, cis-Chrysanthenyl acetate, CARVACROL, Cynaroside, Germacrene D.

Flavonoids

1. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets
2. Fitoterapia

cis-Chrysanthenyl acetate

1. Fitoterapia
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

CARVACROL

1. Fitoterapia

Cynaroside

1. Fitoterapia

Germacrene D

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Isoorientin

1. Fitoterapia

Kessane

1. Fitoterapia

Monoterpenes

1. Fitoterapia

Myrtenyl acetate

1. Fitoterapia

Orientin

1. Fitoterapia

Activities

Asteriscus graveolens has 9 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antihypertensive.

Anticancer

1. Fitoterapia
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

Antioxidant

1. Fitoterapia
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antibacterial

1. Fitoterapia

Antidiabetic

1. Fitoterapia

Antihypertensive

1. Fitoterapia

Antimicrobial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cytotoxic

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Hemolytic

1. Fitoterapia

Purgative

1. Fitoterapia

Medicinal Uses

Asteriscus graveolens has 13 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include hypertension, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations