Coral-drops

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Coral-drops
• Coral Drops

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pharium herbertii
• Bessera fistulosa
• Pharium elegans
• Pharium fistulosum
• Bessera herbertii
• Bessera miniata
• Bessera multiflora

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asparagales, falling into the family Asparagaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Bessera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Bessera elegans, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the various regions of Mexico. Its presence is documented within the central parts of Mexico, where it occupies unique ecological niches. Additionally, the species can be found extending into the northeast territories of the country. It also maintains a presence in the northwest regions, spreading across diverse terrains. Finally, the plant's range reaches into the southwest, completing its widespread occurrence throughout these Mexican zones.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Bessera elegans is characterized by its status as a specialized perennial herb that utilizes underground storage organs to survive unfavorable environmental conditions. As a cryptophyte, its regenerative buds are protected beneath the soil surface, ensuring its persistence through seasonal shifts. Specifically, it functions as a geophyte, relying on its corms to store nutrients and water, which allows the plant to remain dormant during dry periods and emerge rapidly when moisture becomes available. This life strategy enables it to navigate its native habitats by maintaining a protected perennial presence, transitioning between periods of active vegetative growth and subterranean dormancy.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Bessera elegans is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic relationship, and is strictly a terrestrial plant rather than an aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic species. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is self-supporting, neither acting as a climber, liana, nor vine, which ensures its upright posture within its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Bessera elegans has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids.

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Bessera elegans has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Cytotoxic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Bessera elegans has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include leukemia, lung adenocarcinoma.

Leukemia

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Lung adenocarcinoma

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)