Biophytum umbraculum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Oxalis petersianum
• Biophytum apodiscias
• Oxalis sessilis
• Biophytum rotundifolium
• Biophytum petersianum
• Oxalis apodiscias

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Biophytum umbraculum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Oxalidales. Finally, it is a member of the family Oxalidaceae and is placed in the genus Biophytum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern concentrated within the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing naturally in the country of Benin. The species also inhabits various areas throughout Burkina Faso. Additionally, its range extends into the territory of Gambia. Finally, its geographical presence is documented within Guinea-Bissau and Ghana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Biophytum umbraculum is defined by its adaptability to diverse environmental niches, ranging from specialized wild ecosystems to disturbed human landscapes. It thrives across an altitudinal gradient, typically occurring at elevations between 850 m and 1600 m AMSL. Its primary habitats include the distinctive Brachystegia woodlands, where it coexists with various woody species, as well as open grasslands and the moist margins of marshes. Furthermore, the plant demonstrates significant ecological plasticity by acting as a weed in cultivated grounds, particularly favoring environments characterized by sandy soil.

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

850 m AMSL

Habitat :

Brachystegia woodland, open grassland and marsh edges, weed of cultivated ground on sandy soil

Life history

The life history of Biophytum umbelluculum is characterized by its classification as an annual species, meaning it completes its entire reproductive cycle within a single growing season. In terms of its growth habit and structural organization, the plant functions as a therophyte, a life form defined by its strategy of completing its development from seed to seed before the onset of unfavorable environmental conditions. This specific life form, categorized under both the therophyte and annual designations, dictates its ecological strategy of rapid growth and high reproductive output to ensure survival across successive generations.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Biophytum umbelluculum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. As a terrestrial plant, it does not exhibit epiphytic or aquatic tendencies and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant typically maintains a modest stature, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of approximately 0.305 m, resulting in a mean plant height of 0.15 m. In terms of its structural habit, it is classified as a self-supporting climber, meaning it does not require external structures like lianas or vines to maintain its upright position.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.304803706 m

Plant height mean:

0.15 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Biofumum umbraculum is characterized by specialized metabolic processes adapted to its specific ecological niche, particularly in its management of nutrient acquisition and gas exchange. Regarding its role in the nitrogen cycle, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, as it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia; therefore, the presence of nitrogen fixation traits is a "no." Instead, its physiological development relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium ions directly from the soil through an extensive root system. The plant's photosynthetic pathways and transpiration rates are optimized to maintain turgor pressure and facilitate the translocation of nutrients from the roots to its broad, shade-tolerant leaves. Its metabolic efficiency is closely tied to its ability to regulate stomatal conductance, ensuring that carbon dioxide uptake for photosynthesis is balanced against water loss, which is critical for its survival in the moist, shaded environments it typically inhabits.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

Reproduction in Biophytum umbraculum is characterized by the production of extremely minute seeds, which play a critical role in its dispersal and colonization strategies. The reproductive output of this species is marked by a high degree of uniformity in seed size, as indicated by the seed mass data. The seed mass exhibits a consistent value with a mean, maximum, and minimum of 0.00027 g. This lack of variance in seed mass suggests a highly standardized developmental process during seed maturation. Such minuscule seed weight allows for efficient dispersal, likely aided by environmental factors such as water or wind, facilitating the spread of the plant across its natural habitat.

Seed mass mean:

0.00027 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Biophytum umbraculum has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cassiaoccidentalin A, Flavonoids, Isoorientin, Isovitexin, Phenols.

Cassiaoccidentalin A

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Journal of experimental pharmacology

Isoorientin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Isovitexin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Phenols

1. Journal of experimental pharmacology

Saponins

1. Journal of experimental pharmacology

Steroids

1. Journal of experimental pharmacology

Tannins

1. Journal of experimental pharmacology

Terpenoids

1. Journal of experimental pharmacology

Activities

Biophytum umbraculum has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiplasmodial, Hypoglycemic, Hypotensive.

Antiplasmodial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hypoglycemic

1. The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology

Hypotensive

1. The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology

Medicinal Uses

Biophytum umbraculum has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cerebral malaria, epilepsy, gastrointestinal diseases, insect bites, malaria.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations