Gynura crepidioides

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• ebolo
• fireweed
• red-flower ragleaf
• thickhead
• redflower ragleaf

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Crassocephalum diversifolium var. polycephalum
• Crassocephalum crepidioides var. luteum
• Crassocephalum diversifolium var. crepidioides
• Gynura crepidioides
• Gynura diversifolia
• Gynura microcephala
• Gynura polycephala
• Senecio crepidioides
• Crassocephalum crepidioides f. luteum

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, it is identified by the genus name Crassocephalum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed throughout the West Tropical Africa region. Within this geographical zone, it can be found growing in the country of Benin. Its presence is also well-documented across the territories of Ghana and Guinea. Furthermore, the species extends its range into Ivory Coast. Finally, it is known to inhabit parts of Liberia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Crassocephalum crepidioides is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and a broad altitudinal distribution. This species thrives across a significant vertical gradient, ranging from sea level at 5 m AMSL to elevations as high as 2400 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range centered around 1050 m AMSL. It is frequently encountered in disturbed or transitional landscapes, specifically occupying habitats such as roadsides, open areas, and riparian open zones, as well as within forest environments. This ability to colonize both open sunlight-exposed areas and more sheltered forest settings highlights its opportunistic ecological nature.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1050 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

5 m AMSL

Habitat :

roadsides, open, riparian open, forest, roadside

Genetics

The genetics of Crassocephalum crepidioides are characterized by a specific chromosomal configuration that defines its cytological profile. The species possesses a total chromosome number of 40, which serves as a key taxonomic indicator for this plant. Furthermore, its genetic structure is defined by a diploid ploidy level of 2, indicating that the organism maintains two complete sets of chromosomes within its somatic cells.

Chromosome number :

40

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Crassocephalum crepidioides is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning it completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its botanical classification regarding growth habit, it functions as a therophyte, a life form defined by plants that survive the unfavorable season as ephemeral seeds. This strategy allows the species to rapidly colonize disturbed habitats and exploit seasonal resources before completing its reproductive cycle.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Crassocephalum crepidioides is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or a parasite, maintaining an independent life cycle. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits a variable height, typically ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 1.2 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.8 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height mean:

0.8 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Crassocephalum crepidioides is characterized by specific morphological dimensions and metabolic traits that define its growth habits. The plant exhibits significant variation in leaf size, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a mean of 9.5 cm, reaching a maximum of 18 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width shows a broad spectrum, from a minimum of 1 cm to a mean of 4.5 cm, with a maximum width documented at 20 cm. In terms of water storage and metabolic strategies, the plant does not exhibit succulence, indicating a reliance on standard hydration methods rather than specialized fleshy tissues. Furthermore, it does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for growth.

Leaf length max:

18 cm

Leaf length mean:

9.5 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

20 cm

Leaf width mean:

4.5 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Crassocephalum crepidioides is characterized by the production of distinct red flowers that facilitate the development of its reproductive structures. The plant produces small fruits classified as achenes, which are indehiscent in nature. These fruits reach a maximum length of approximately 0.2 cm. The seeds contained within are extremely lightweight, exhibiting a mean mass of 0.00023 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.00018 g to a maximum of 0.00028 g. For the spread of its progeny, the plant utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on wind to transport its lightweight seeds to new locations.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

red

Fruit length max:

0.2 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Seed mass max:

0.00028 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00023 g

Seed mass min:

0.00018 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Crassocephalum crepidioides has 4 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, rhizome, seed, stem.

Leaf

1. Toxicology reports

Rhizome

1. Toxicology reports

Seed

1. Toxicology reports

Stem

1. Toxicology reports

Chemicals

Crassocephalum crepidioides has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Abscisic acid (ABA), Isochlorogenic acid, JACOBINE, quercetin.

Abscisic acid (ABA)

1. Frontiers in plant science

Isochlorogenic acid

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

JACOBINE

1. Frontiers in plant science

quercetin

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Activities

Crassocephalum crepidioides has 3 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Free-Radical Scavenging, Hepatoprotective.

Antioxidant

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Free-Radical Scavenging

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Hepatoprotective

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Medicinal Uses

Crassocephalum crepidioides has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Sarcoma 180, drought, heat stress, hyperglycemia, tumor.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations