Chamaemelum mixtum

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Moroccan chamomile
• branched chamomile
• weedy dog-fennel

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Maruta mixta
• Ormenis mixta
• Chamaemelum mixtum var. aureum
• Chamaemelum mixtum
• Chamomilla mixta
• Chamaemelum mixtum var. glabrescens
• Ormenis coronopifolia
• Ormenis mixta var. glabrescens
• Ormenis praecox
• Chamaemelum pinnatifidum
• Ormenis mixta subsp. multicaulis
• Ormenis mixta subsp. aurea
• Ormenis multicaulis
• Hiorthia aurea
• Cladanthus mixtus var. aureus
• Anthemis hispanica
• Anthemis mixta
• Anthemis praecox

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Cladanthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across various regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be recorded within Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species is also found inhabiting the territory of Belgium. Its range extends further through Germany, where it maintains a local population. Finally, the geographical footprint of this medicinal plant reaches into Poland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cladanthus mixtus is characterized by its distribution across a wide altitudinal gradient, spanning from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 800 m AMSL. This broad elevational range, from 0 to 800 m AMSL, suggests that the species is highly adaptable to varying environmental conditions and diverse microclimates found within lowland and subtropical zones. Such a distribution pattern typically indicates an ability to thrive in a variety of soil types and moisture regimes, allowing it to occupy diverse ecological niches throughout its vertical range.

Elevational range max:

800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cladanthus mixtus is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its structural growth strategy and survival mechanism, the species functions as a therophyte, meaning it avoids unfavorable environmental conditions by existing solely as seeds during dormant periods, only emerging as a fully developed plant when seasonal conditions become favorable. This life form allows the plant to rapidly exploit available resources and complete its reproductive phase before the onset of seasonal stress, ensuring the continuity of the species through seed dispersal.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Cladanthus mixtus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, typically maintaining a relatively low profile with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 0.6 m. The plant exhibits an ascending shoot orientation and functions as a self-supporting climber, rather than an obligatory liana or vine. In terms of its ecological positioning, it is a terrestrial organism that operates as an independent species, meaning it is neither a parasite nor an epiphyte. Its physical structure is defined by its non-woody nature, facilitating its development within its specific habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Shoot orientation :

ascending

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cladanthus mixtus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism that facilitates carbon fixation through the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells. This metabolic strategy governs the plant's energy production and carbon assimilation processes, influencing its gas exchange patterns and water-use efficiency. Complementing its metabolic profile, the plant exhibits a distinct morphological physiology reflected in its pinnatisect leaf form, where the leaf blade is deeply lobed or divided into narrow segments. This specialized leaf structure plays a critical role in regulating the plant's microclimate, potentially enhancing heat dissipation and optimizing light interception within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf form :

pinnatisect

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cladanthus mixtus is characterized by a flowering period that typically begins in March and extends through September, though the timing can be variable throughout the year. The plant produces white flowers that measure between 1.5 cm and 2.5 cm in width, with a maximum flower length of 1 cm. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of an achene. These fruits are quite small, with a length ranging from a minimum of 0.08 cm to a maximum of 0.16 cm. The resulting seeds are minute, possessing a mean seed mass of approximately 8e-05 g. Furthermore, the fruit is classified as indehiscent, meaning it does not split open at maturity to release its seeds.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Flower colour :

white

Flower length max:

1 cm

Flower width max:

2.5 cm

Flower width min:

1.5 cm

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length max:

0.16 cm

Fruit length min:

0.08 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Seed mass mean:

8e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cladanthus mixtus has 4 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, flower, leaf, stem.

Root

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of natural products

Flower

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Leaf

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Stem

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Cladanthus mixtus has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (E)-2-Methylbut-2-en-1-yl methacrylate, 3'-Hydroxycorfin, Caryophyllene oxide, Fatty acids, Flavonoid.

(E)-2-Methylbut-2-en-1-yl methacrylate

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

3'-Hydroxycorfin

1. Journal of natural products

Caryophyllene oxide

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Fatty acids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Humulene

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Polyphenol

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

corfin

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Cladanthus mixtus has 3 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antifungal.

Antioxidant

1. Environmental science and pollution research international
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

Antibacterial

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Antifungal

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Cladanthus mixtus has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, antioxidant.

Aspergillus fumigatus

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Candida albicans

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Escherichia coli

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Preparations

Cladanthus mixtus has 7 reported preparations identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Root and flower methanolic extracts, essential oils, flower and leaf extracts, flower extracts, leaf extract.

Root and flower methanolic extracts

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Essential oils

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Flower and leaf extracts

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Flower extracts

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Leaf extract

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Lipophilic extracts of aerial as well as underground organs

1. Journal of natural products

Methanolic extracts

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)