Silver Puff

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Silver Puff

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Leria nutans f. lyrata
• Gerbera nutans
• Chaptalia diversifolia
• Thyrsanthema ebracteata
• Tussilago nutans
• Tussilago vaccina
• Chaptalia subcordata
• Leria lyrata
• Chaptalia erosa
• Chaptalia majuscula
• Sabbata polyphylla
• Chaptalia ebracteata
• Gerbera nutans var. leiocarpa
• Leria nutans
• Thyrsanthema nutans

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Chaptalia nutans, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is situated within the genus Chaptalia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Chaptalia nutans, exhibits a widespread presence across various regions of Mexico. Its distribution encompasses the diverse landscapes found throughout Mexico Central and the coastal stretches of Mexico Gulf. Additionally, the species can be located in the rugged terrains of Mexico Northeast. The plant's range further extends into the arid environments of Mexico Northwest. Finally, it is also documented as being native to the regions of Mexico Southwest.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Chaptalia nutans is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to a diverse array of environmental conditions and vegetation types across a broad altitudinal gradient. This species thrives in a wide variety of habitats, ranging from disturbed anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) to specialized natural formations such as high-altitude grasslands (Campo de Altitude), open grasslands (Campo Limpo), and the complex ecosystems of the Cerrado (latu sensu). Its ecological presence extends into various forest types, including Deciduous Seasonal Forests (Floresta Estacional Decidual), Semi-deciduous Seasonal Forests (Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual), Ombrophilous Forests (Floresta Ombrófila/Pluvial), and Mixed Ombrophilous Forests (Floresta Ombrófila Mista). Spanning from sea level up to an elevation of 2800 m AMSL, the plant demonstrates a significant capacity to colonize both lowland and montane landscapes, occupying niches within both open and forested biomes.

Elevational range max:

2800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campo de Altitude, Campo Limpo, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista

Life history

The life history of Chapatalia nutans is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it is classified as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or organic debris during unfavorable conditions. This hemicryptophytic nature supports its long-term survival and ability to regenerate annually within its ecological niche.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Chaptalia nutans is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic nature, and is classified as a terrestrial plant rather than being aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic. Regarding its structural habit, the plant is self-supporting, exhibiting a growth pattern that does not require climbing mechanisms such as lianas or vines, nor does it function as an obligatory or facultative climber.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Chaptalia nutans has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
2. Journal of medicinal food

Chemicals

Chaptalia nutans has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Coumarins, Flavonoids, Terpenes.

Coumarins

1. Journal of medicinal food

Flavonoids

1. Journal of medicinal food

Terpenes

1. Journal of medicinal food

Conditions

Chaptalia nutans has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include wounds.

Wounds

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Preparations

Chaptalia nutans has 4 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Aqueous extracts, Ethanolic crude extracts from the roots, Root Extract, crude methanol extract.

Aqueous extracts

1. Revista de biologia tropical

Ethanolic crude extracts from the roots

1. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

Root extract

1. Journal of medicinal food

Crude methanol extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology