Turn-sole

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Turn-sole
• Dyer's Litmus
• Southern Chrozophora
• dyer's-croton
• giradol
• turnsole

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Chrozophora subplicata
• Chrozophora hierosolymitana
• Croton obliquus
• Tournesol tinctoria
• Chrozophora integrifolia
• Croton patulus
• Tournesol verbascifolia
• Chrozophora lepidocarpa
• Croton verbascifolius
• Tournesol warionii
• Chrozophora obliqua var. hierosolymitana
• Tournesol obliqua
• Chrozophora glabrata
• Ricinoides tinctoria
• Chrozophora cordifolia
• Chrozophora villosa
• Chrozophora sieberi
• Chrozophora tinctoria f. brachypetala
• Chrozophora tinctoria var. glabrata
• Chrozophora tinctoria var. hierosolymitana
• Chrozophora tinctoria subsp. obliqua
• Chrozophora tinctoria var. subplicata
• Chrozophora tinctoria var. verbascifolia
• Chrozophora verbascifolia
• Chrozophora warionii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales, falling within the family Euphorbiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Chrozophora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, its presence is noted within the borders of Germany. Moving toward the Mediterranean, it can be found in the Southwestern European territories of France and Portugal. Its range also extends to the island of Corse within the same Southwestern European region. Finally, the species is documented in the Baleares, completing its geographical profile in the Southwest.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Crozophorpha tinctoria is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse and often harsh environments, spanning an altitudinal gradient from 400 m to a maximum of 2300 m AMSL. This species thrives in a wide array of habitats, ranging from arid landscapes such as deserts and semideserts to more varied terrains including hills, mountains, and sandy areas. Its ability to colonize different ecological niches is further evidenced by its presence in coastal environments like shores and sea-adjacent regions, as well as its tendency to inhabit human-disturbed landscapes such as crop fields and ruderal sites.

Elevational range max:

2300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

400 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields, desert, hills, mountains, ruderal sites, sand, sea, semidesert, shores

Life history

The life history of Chrozophora tinctoria is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, its survival strategy relies on producing a prolific amount of seeds that remain dormant in the soil during unfavorable conditions, allowing the species to reappear when environmental circumstances become suitable. This life form dictates its ephemeral nature, as the plant lacks persistent above-ground structures, focusing its physiological energy on rapid growth and reproductive success before the onset of seasonal stress.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Chrozophora tinctoria is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, exhibiting a self-supporting habit rather than functioning as a climber, liana, or vine. The plant is independent in its nutritional requirements, not acting as a parasite or an epiphyte, and maintains a terrestrial existence, although its habitat range can span aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial environments. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.07 m to a maximum of 0.7 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.7 m

Plant height min:

0.07 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of the foliage in Crozophoria tinctoria are defined by specific morphological dimensions that govern its photosynthetic surface area and gas exchange capabilities. The leaves exhibit a distinct size variability, with individual lengths ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 5 cm. Complementing this longitudinal dimension, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 1 cm and a maximum of 3 cm, establishing a compact structural profile that influences the plant's metabolic efficiency and transpiration rates within its ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

5 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Crozophoria tinctoria is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and specialized fruit morphology. The flowering period typically commences in April and concludes in June, though the timing can be variable throughout the year. Following pollination, the plant produces fruit in the form of a capsule. These capsules are dehiscence-type, meaning they split open at maturity to facilitate seed dispersal. The seeds produced are relatively small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.0136 g. Individual seed weights vary within a range of 0.0034 g at the minimum to 0.01854 g at the maximum.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit type :

capsule

Seed mass max:

0.01854 g

Seed mass mean:

0.013637143 g

Seed mass min:

0.0034 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Chrozophora tinctoria has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID, Amentoflavone, Gallic acid, RUTIN.

4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Amentoflavone

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Gallic acid

1. Pharmaceutical biology

RUTIN

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Activities

Chrozophora tinctoria has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiproliferative.

Antioxidant

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Antiproliferative

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Conditions

Chrozophora tinctoria has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Preparations

Chrozophora tinctoria has 6 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 70 % ethanol extracts, ethanol extracts, ethyl acetate extract (EA), ethyl acetate extract (EtOAcE), ethyl acetate extracts.

70 % ethanol extracts

1. Fitoterapia

Ethanol extracts

1. Fitoterapia

Ethyl acetate extract (ea)

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Ethyl acetate extract (etoace)

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Ethyl acetate extracts

1. Fitoterapia

Water extracts

1. Fitoterapia