Centrosema pascuorum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide and diverse geographical distribution across several different continents. In the Indo-China region, it can be found growing within the borders of Thailand. Its presence extends to Australia, where it is located in the Northern Territory, Queensland, and Western Australia. Additionally, the species is distributed within the southwestern part of Mexico. These varied locations demonstrate the plant's ability to inhabit distinct environmental zones.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Centrosema pascuorum is characterized by its broad adaptability across diverse Brazilian biomes, including the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Restinga, and the Savana Amazônica. This species demonstrates a significant altitudinal distribution, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL. Its ability to inhabit such varied environments—from coastal restingas and riparian galleries to the semi-arid Caatinga and tropical savannas—indicates a resilient ecological niche capable of thriving in both humid and seasonally dry landscapes across a wide range of elevations.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Restinga, Savana Amazônica

Life history

The life history of Centaurium pascuorum is characterized by its classification as an annual species, meaning it completes its entire developmental cycle—from seed germination to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. The life cycle begins with the germination of seeds in the soil, typically following seasonal moisture patterns, leading to the establishment of a basal rosette of leaves. As the plant progresses through its vegetative stage, it develops an erect stem that supports its characteristic pinkish-purple flowers. Once the reproductive phase is triggered, the plant focuses its energy on anthesis and subsequent seed maturation. After the seeds are dispersed, the individual plant dies, ensuring that the continuation of the species depends entirely on the success of the seed bank for the following year's cohort.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Centrosema pascuorum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically functioning as a forb. It exhibits a climbing habit, acting as a liana that requires support, often categorized as an obligatory climber to reach sunlight. The plant is primarily terrestrial in its ecological habitat, though it can exist in semiaquatic or aquatic environments depending on local conditions. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite, nor does it exhibit epiphytic behavior, remaining firmly rooted in the soil as a terrestrial species. In terms of physical stature, the plant is relatively low-growing, with a maximum plant height of approximately 0.25 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.25 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Centaurium pascuorum is characterized by a metabolic framework governed by the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and water-use efficiency. As a C3 plant, it utilizes the enzyme Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide directly into three-carbon compounds during the Calvin cycle. This physiological mechanism typically necessitates moderate environmental conditions, as the plant must balance the opening of its stomata for gas exchange with the risk of photorespiration and transpirational water loss. The plant's energy acquisition and biomass production are fundamentally driven by this C3 metabolism, influencing its growth patterns and its ability to thrive in temperate, moist habitats where CO2 availability and temperature allow for efficient photosynthetic activity.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Centrosema pascuorum is characterized by specific seed morphological properties that play a critical role in its dispersal and establishment. The reproductive output of this species yields seeds with a highly consistent mass, showing no variance across the observed sample. The seed mass maintains a uniform value, with a mean, maximum, and minimum all measured at exactly 0.01063 g. This precise and uniform seed mass suggests a standardized energetic investment per propagule, which is a vital factor in the plant's reproductive strategy and its ability to colonize suitable habitats.

Seed mass mean:

0.01063 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Centrosema pascuorum has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include genistein, hydroxygenistein.

genistein

1. Dr. Duke

hydroxygenistein

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Centrosema pascuorum has 72 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Abortifacient, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Antiaggregant, Antiangiogenic.

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Antiaggregant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiangiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiatherosclerotic

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer (Breast)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic (Breast)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticlimacteric

1. Dr. Duke

Antiendoccytotic

1. Dr. Duke