eyelash plant

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• eyelash plant

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Acanthus pectinatus
• Ruellia persica
• Blepharis persica

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered as Lamiales and placed in the family Acanthaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Blepharis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the arid regions of Western Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. Within Western Asia, it can be found growing in the country of Iran. Its presence extends significantly into the Gulf States located along the Arabian Peninsula. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed throughout the territories of Oman and Saudi Arabia. Finally, its geographical range includes the southern part of the peninsula in Yemen.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Blepharis ciliaris is characterized by its perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural life form, it exhibits a dual classification, functioning as both a chamaephyte, where the terminal buds are located close to the ground level, and a therophyte. This combination of life forms enables the plant to adapt to its specific environmental niches through varied survival strategies.

Life form :

therophyte

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Blepharis ciliaris is characterized by a growth form classified as a herb, specifically behaving as a non-woody plant. It functions as an independent organism, exhibiting no parasitic tendencies, and is strictly terrestrial rather than acting as an epiphyte. While it can exist in various moisture gradients, its primary habitat traits span across aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial environments. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is self-supporting, meaning it does not possess the climbing mechanisms of a liana or vine, but instead maintains its upright or spreading herbaceous structure independently.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Blepharis ciliaris is characterized by a specific flowering cycle and fruit development process. The plant undergoes flowering starting in March and concluding in April, though the period can be variable across different months. During this reproductive phase, it produces fruit categorized as a capsule. Once the fruit is mature, it undergoes a dehiscence process, meaning it is dehiscent, allowing for the release of its contents. The subsequent dispersal of the seeds follows a hydrochorous syndrome, utilizing water as the primary medium for movement and distribution.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit type :

capsule

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

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

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Blepharis ciliaris has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis

1. Acta parasitologica

Preparations

Blepharis ciliaris has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts prepared with methanol.

Extracts prepared with methanol

1. Acta parasitologica