Calea phyllolepis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Meyeria phyllolepis

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identification is placed within the genus Calea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found within the diverse landscapes of Brazil. Its presence is specifically noted in the Southeast region of the country. Additionally, the species can be located throughout the southern part of Brazil. These specific areas represent its primary geographical range. Consequently, its natural distribution is concentrated in these particular Brazilian territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Calea phyllolepis is characterized by its presence in specific coastal and open vegetation formations, primarily thriving within the habitats of Campo Limpo and Restinga. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying a vertical range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to an elevation of 1000 m AMSL. Its occurrence in these distinct environments suggests an adaptability to both the sandy, nutrient-poor soils typical of restinga ecosystems and the open, sun-exposed conditions found in grassy fields.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campo Limpo, Restinga

Life history

The life history of Calea phyllolepis is characterized by its nature as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. As a perennial species, it undergoes various stages of development that involve sustained vegetative growth and periodic reproductive phases, enabling the plant to establish a stable presence within its ecological niche. This long-term survival strategy enables the plant to accumulate resources over time, providing it with the resilience to withstand seasonal fluctuations and contribute to the long-term stability of its habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Calea phyllolepis is characterized by its growth as a woody subshrub that exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit. Although it can inhabit various environments, its primary ecological classification is terrestrial, distinguishing it from aquatic or semiaquatic species. As a non-parasitic organism, the plant functions as an independent species rather than an obligatory or facultative parasite. Furthermore, it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence rather than growing as a holoepiphyte, hemiepiphyte, or facultative epiphyte. The structural integrity of the plant is defined by its woody nature, providing the necessary support for its subshrub growth form.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Calea phyllolepis 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. Chemistry & biodiversity

Chemicals

Calea phyllolepis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Coumaric Acid.

Coumaric Acid

1. Chemistry & biodiversity