Littlepod False Flax

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• hairy false-flax
• little-pod false-flax
• little-seed false-flax
• small-seed false-flax
• Lesser Gold Of Pleasure
• Lesser Gold-Of-Pleasure
• small-seed false flax
• small-seeded false flax
• littlepod false flax

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Camelina sylvestris subsp. microcarpa
• Camelina sativa var. sylvestris
• Camelina sativa var. microcarpa
• Camelina sylvestris proles confusa
• Camelina bornmuelleriana
• Cochlearia polysperma
• Camelina longistyla
• Camelina microcarpa f. longistipitatus
• Camelina microcarpa var. brevistyla
• Camelina microcarpa subsp. sylvestris
• Camelina microphylla
• Camelina paphlagonica
• Camelina confusa
• Camelina campestris
• Camelina sylvestris
• Camelina transbaicalensis
• Camelina sylvestris var. microcarpa
• Camelina sativa subsp. microcarpa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Camelina microcarpa, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Brassicales and the family Brassicaceae. Ultimately, it is placed within the genus Camelina.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Camelina microcarpa, exhibits a specific distribution across various regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing naturally within the borders of Denmark. The species also inhabits the landscapes of Finland and Norway. Furthermore, its range extends to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Together, these locations define its primary geographical presence in the northern part of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Camelina microcarpa is characterized by its presence in diverse environments ranging from disturbed agricultural landscapes to natural riparian and open terrain. It is commonly found colonizing crop fields, as well as inhabiting the edges of lakes, rivers, and shores, and thriving within steppe ecosystems. This species occupies a broad altitudinal spectrum, occurring at elevations starting from 0 m AMSL and reaching up to a maximum of 500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields, lakes, rivers, shores, steppe

Life history

The life history of Camelina microcarpa is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. Functioning as a therophyte, it survives the unfavorable seasons primarily in the form of seeds, which remain dormant until environmental conditions become suitable for growth. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its vegetative structures as it progresses through its seasonal stages.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Camelina microcarpa is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial species is independent, meaning it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, exhibiting an ascending shoot orientation. In terms of stature, it typically reaches a mean height of 0.35 m, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum height of 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.35 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Shoot orientation :

ascending

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Camelina microcarpa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and energy conversion efficiency. Its vegetative structure exhibits significant morphological variation in leaf dimensions, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 8 cm, maintaining a mean length of 4.75 cm. The leaf width is similarly variable, spanning from a minimum of 0.3 cm to a maximum of 1.5 cm, resulting in a mean leaf size of approximately 4.4225 cm². These structural parameters contribute to a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 199.9 cm²/g, a value that reflects the plant's leaf mass per area and its physiological strategy regarding resource acquisition and light interception.

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length mean:

4.75 cm

Leaf length min:

1.5 cm

Leaf size mean:

4.4225 cm²

Leaf width max:

1.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.3 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

199.9 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Camelina microcarpa is characterized by a bisexual sexual reproductive system that facilitates efficient seed production. The flowering period typically commences in April and extends through July, with inflorescences measuring between 0.2 m and 0.3 m in length. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen, and is capable of self-fertilization. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruits that vary in size, with a mean length of 0.55 cm (ranging from a minimum of 0.4 cm to a maximum of 0.7 cm) and a mean width of 0.325 cm (ranging from 0.25 cm to 0.4 cm). The dispersal of seeds is achieved through an autochorous syndrome, where the plant disperses its own seeds. These seeds are notably small, possessing a mean mass of approximately 0.000302875 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.000275 g to a maximum of 0.0003 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length max:

0.7 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.55 cm

Fruit length min:

0.4 cm

Fruit width max:

0.4 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.325 cm

Fruit width min:

0.25 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.3 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.2 m

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

3e-04 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000302875 g

Seed mass min:

0.000275 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Camelina microcarpa has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Saturated fatty acid, Unsaturated Fatty Acids, lauric acid.

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Saturated fatty acid

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

lauric acid

1. Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)

Preparations

Camelina microcarpa has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include camelina oil.

Camelina oil

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry