hop-headed barleria

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• hop-headed barleria

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dicliptera spinosa
• Barleria monostachya

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales, it is classified under the family Acanthaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Barleria, specifically as the species Barleria lupulina.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning both African continents. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in the countries of Benin and Burkina. Its presence also extends to the Western Indian Ocean region. Specifically, it is located within the island nations of Comoros and Mauritius. Finally, the species is well-established in the large island of Madagascar.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Barleria lupulina is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its persistence across multiple growing seasons. Functionally, it is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting the growth habits of a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, which dictates its structural development and survival strategy. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen nature, retaining its foliage to sustain photosynthetic activity across different periods.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Barleria lupulina is characterized by a woody growth form, typically manifesting as a shrub. It reaches an average plant height of approximately 1.5 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not function as an epiphyte, nor is it aquatic or semiaquatic in its natural habitat. The plant is independent in its nutritional requirements, functioning as a non-parasitic organism. In terms of its structural habit, it is classified as self-supporting, meaning it does not require external structures to climb like a vine or liana, maintaining its upright shrubby stature through its woody stems.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Barleria lupulina is characterized by its efficient metabolic processes and specialized structural adaptations that support its growth in various environmental conditions. As a member of the Acanthaceae family, its physiological activity is centered on robust photosynthetic capabilities and an intricate vascular system that facilitates the transport of nutrients and water throughout its woody or semi-woody stems. In terms of nutrient acquisition, the plant does not engage in symbiotic nitrogen fixation; specifically, it is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms through microbial partnership. Instead, it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system. The plant's physiological resilience is further evidenced by its ability to regulate transpiration and maintain osmotic balance, allowing it to thrive in diverse habitats while managing its internal resource allocation for the production of secondary metabolites.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Leaf

1. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine

Chemicals

Barleria lupulina has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ipolamiide, 4-Ethylcatechol, 4-Methylcatechol, 4-Vinylcatechol, Acetylbarlerin.

Ipolamiide

1. Natural product communications
2. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine

4-Ethylcatechol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

4-Methylcatechol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

4-Vinylcatechol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Acetylbarlerin

1. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine

Decaffeoylacteoside

1. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine

Gallic acid

1. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine

Leonuriside A

1. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine

Shanzhiside

1. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine

Vanillic acid

1. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine

Activities

Barleria lupulina has 5 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antiproliferative, Cytotoxic.

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine

Antibacterial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Anticancer

1. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine

Antiproliferative

1. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine

Medicinal Uses

Barleria lupulina has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include HSV-2, acne vulgaris, awareness, cancer, herpes simplex virus type 2.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations