Philippine violet

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Philippine-violet
• bluebell
• bluebell barleria

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Barleria cristata var. dichotoma
• Barleria cristata var. lactea
• Barleria cristata var. albida
• Barleria alba
• Barleria dichotoma
• Barleria laciniata
• Lepidagathis laciniata
• Barleria ciliata
• Barleria cristata var. mairei
• Barleria indica
• Barleria lactea
• Barleria nuda
• Barleria mairei
• Barleria napalensis
• Barleria napalensis var. microphylla
• Barleria venulosa
• Barleria prinoides

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Acanthaceae and falls under the genus Barleria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning across several distinct regions. In East Tropical Africa, it is notably found within the borders of Tanzania. Its presence extends into the Western Indian Ocean, where it inhabits the islands of Mauritius, Réunion, and Rodrigues. Additionally, the species can be located in the South-Central parts of China. These varied locations demonstrate the plant's ability to thrive in diverse ecological zones.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Barleria cristata is characterized by a wide altitudinal distribution, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 2000 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range of approximately 975 m AMSL. In the Hawaiian Islands, the species has established a significant presence; originally introduced and cultivated for use in hedges and borders (Neal, 1965), it has since become naturalized within dry habitats across the islands of Kauai, Oahu, and Hawaii.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

975 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

In Hawaii cultivated for hedges and borders (Neal, 1965), now naturalized in dry habitats on Kauai, Oahu, and Hawaii

Genetics

The genetics of Barleria cristata are characterized by a notable degree of chromosomal variation within its species. Cytogenetic studies have revealed a range of chromosome numbers, specifically documented as 34, 36, 38, and 40. Despite this numerical diversity, the plant is classified as having a diploid ploidy level, indicated by a ploidy level of 2. This variation in chromosome count suggests a complex genomic structure that may influence the plant's evolutionary adaptability and its chemical profile.

Chromosome number :

34, 36, 38, 40

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Barleria cristata is characterized by its existence as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. Throughout its development, it exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage in response to seasonal changes or environmental stressors.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Barleria cristata is characterized by a woody growth form that manifests as both a shrub and a forb. It is a terrestrial, independent plant that does not function as an epiphyte or a parasite. The plant exhibits an erect shoot orientation and is self-supporting rather than acting as a liana or vine. In terms of stature, its height varies significantly, with a minimum height of 0.6 m and a maximum recorded height of 1 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 1.83 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

1.83333333333333 m

Plant height min:

0.6 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Barleria cristata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a standard carbon fixation process typical of many non-succulent herbaceous plants. Its foliar morphology features ovate leaves with entire margins, which are devoid of both thorns and spines. The leaf dimensions exhibit significant variability, with a minimum length of 2 cm and a maximum length reaching up to 12 cm, while the mean length is recorded at 4.5 cm. The width of the leaves ranges from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 5.3 cm, with a mean width of 1.35 cm. In terms of leaf economy and resource allocation, the plant maintains a consistent Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of approximately 228.98 cm²/g across its minimum, mean, and maximum values. Furthermore, the plant does not exhibit succulence and lacks the physiological capacity for nitrogen fixation.

Leaf form :

ovate

Leaf length max:

12 cm

Leaf length mean:

4.5 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

5.3 cm

Leaf width mean:

1.35 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

228.9821429 cm²/g

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Barleria cristata is characterized by a flowering period that typically commences in May and extends through October, though the timing can be variable. During the blooming phase, the plant produces flowers that exhibit a pink coloration, with individual flower lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 1.5 cm. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a capsule. These capsules are relatively small, maintaining a mean length of 1.5 cm, with individual fruit dimensions ranging from a minimum of 1.2 cm to a maximum of 1.8 cm. The fruit is classified as dehiscence, meaning it opens at maturity to release its contents. The dispersal of the seeds is identified as anthropochorous, suggesting that human activity plays a role in the movement and spread of the species.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower colour :

pink

Flower length max:

1.5 cm

Flower length min:

0.8 cm

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit length max:

1.8 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.5 cm

Fruit length min:

1.2 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Barleria cristata has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Glycosides, Triterpenes.

Glycosides

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Triterpenes

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Activities

Barleria cristata has 12 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antifungal, Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective.

Antibacterial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Antidiabetic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Antifungal

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Hepatoprotective

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Analgesic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiarthritic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Anticancer

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antihelminthic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antihypertensive

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Barleria cristata has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include PC-3 cells, prostate cancer, snake bite, toothache, tuberculosis.

Most Reported Uses