Brazilian Buttonflower

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Brazilian Buttonflower
• Brazilian bachelor's button

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Centratherum camporum var. longipes
• Baccharoides holtonii
• Centratherum pulchellum
• Baccharoides violacea
• Amphibecis violacea
• Centratherum camporum var. albicans
• Centratherum intermedium
• Centratherum muticum
• Centratherum punctatum f. brachyphyllum
• Centratherum punctatum f. foliosum
• Centratherum punctatum var. viscossissimum
• Centratherum punctatum var. foliosum
• Centratherum punctatum var. parviflorum
• Centratherum violaceum
• Crantzia ovata
• Spixia violacea
• Vernonia brachylepis
• Centratherum confertum
• Centratherum punctatum var. albicans
• Ampherephis mutica
• Ampherephis pulchella
• Baccharoides brachylepis
• Baccharoides mutica
• Baccharoides punctata
• Cacalia brachylepis
• Centratherum aristatum
• Centratherum brachylepis
• Centratherum holtonii
• Centratherum punctatum subsp. fruticosum
• Centratherum fruticosum
• Ampherephis aristata
• Ampherephis intermedia
• Centaurea riparia
• Centratherum australianum
• Centratherum punctatum subsp. australianum
• Centratherum riparium
• Centratherum punctatum var. longipes
• Centratherum punctatum subsp. camporum
• Centratherum camporum

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 further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae and is specifically identified by the genus Centratherum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across different regions. In the Macaronesian islands, it can be found specifically in Madeira. Its distribution also extends significantly into West Tropical Africa. Within this African region, the species is documented in Benin, Ghana, and Nigeria. Additionally, the plant is known to grow in Togo, completing its documented presence in West Tropical Africa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Centratherum punctatum is characterized by its remarkable adaptability across a vast range of environmental conditions and diverse biomes. It thrives in a wide variety of habitats, ranging from anthropized areas (Área Antrópica) to natural formations such as the Caatinga (strict sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Campo Rupestre, and Restinga. Furthermore, it is found within diverse forest ecosystems, including Floresta Estacional Perenifólia, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, and Floresta Ombrófila Mista. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occurring from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 2000 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range centered around 1150 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1150 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Perenifólia, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila Mista, Restinga

Life history

The life history of Centratherum punctatum is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it maintains a continuous presence in its habitat, often re-sprouting or developing from established root systems rather than completing its cycle in a single season. This longevity enables the plant to establish a stable population within its ecological niche, contributing to its ability to withstand varying environmental conditions over extended periods.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Centratherum punctatum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody subshrub or herb, typically exhibiting a self-supporting habit. This plant is classified as an independent species, functioning without parasitic dependencies, and is primarily terrestrial in its ecological niche, though it can inhabit aquatic or semiaquatic environments. It is not an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial existence. In terms of stature, the plant is relatively low-growing, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.5 meters to a maximum of 1 meter. While it possesses a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a liana or vine, its overall physical development is defined by these compact, non-woody dimensions.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological profile of Centratherum punctatum is characterized by distinct morphological dimensions that govern its vegetative growth and photosynthetic surface area. The leaf architecture exhibits significant variability, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 6 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width is relatively narrow, fluctuating between a minimum of 0.6 cm and a maximum of 2 cm. These specific measurements indicate a lanceolate to linear leaf morphology, which influences the plant's transpiration rates and its ability to optimize light interception within its ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

6 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

2 cm

Leaf width min:

0.6 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Centratherum punctatum is characterized by the production of small, specialized fruits classified as achenes. These fruits are notably indehiscent, meaning they do not split open at maturity to release their contents, instead relying on other dispersal mechanisms. The seeds contained within are remarkably uniform in size and weight, with a recorded seed mass that remains constant at a value of 0.00179 g, representing both the minimum, maximum, and mean mass for the species.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Fruit type :

achene

Seed mass mean:

0.00179 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Centratherum punctatum has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Glucosides, Isoflavones, Isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Glucosides

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Isoflavones

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

kaempferol

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

kaempferol-3-glucoside

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

vitamin C

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Conditions

Centratherum punctatum has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include depression, hypertension, inflammation, tumor.

Depression

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Hypertension

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Inflammation

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Tumor

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics